Why the West Is Failing to Counter Kremlin Disinformation Campaigns

[pangaia]

"Even with the German awakening—a game changer in and of itself—the rest of the world is still asleep"

Baltic countries have known Russia’s dirty tricks for years, which is why they are vocal and effective in countering such hostile operations. Scandinavian states are also beginning to pay close attention, as Swedish intelligence has already pointed fingers at Russian espionage. Finland recently announced plans to set up a new hybrid threat center; meanwhile the Czech one will be operational in January. It is important for smaller countries to stand up to this existential threat to their democratic foundations.

But in Europe, there is always an elephant in the room: What does Germany think? When Berlin decides to tackle something, others begin to move—even on a broader level, Europe shifts as a result of policy changes in Germany. When European intelligence agencies saw Kremlin involvement in the U.S. elections, everyone started to ask: Are we next? German Chancellor Angela Merkel is one of the last Western leaders standing up to Russian aggression—and she is the next major target of the Kremlin’s crosshairs. The German intelligence chief and the counter-intelligence boss have both warned that Russian meddling is to be expected when Germany holds parliamentary elections in fall 2017.

Even with the German awakening—which might be a game changer in and of itself—the West is still sleepy. Some say we are behaving like Britain did in 1937, pointing to cruel numbers: today, the Kremlin employs thousands of professionals in well-targeted Western disinformation campaigns, and pours billions of dollars into these centrally-orchestrated efforts. In comparison, within Western institutions, only dozens of experts study and counter disinformation outside of our intelligence agencies. There are several dedicated government teams scattered from Tallinn to London, a few dozen think-tanks digging into the issue, and a only a handful of brave political leaders willing to address this grave threat clearly and often.

http://observer.com/2016/12/the-west-is-failing-to-counter-kremlin-disinformation-campaigns/

[Ready4Change]

1. It's in the money.

Monied interests in the USA want Trump as POTUS. Russia helping him helps them.

Russia wants Trump as POTUS because he can be so easily played. Use the carrot of praise and the stick of high school level rumor spreading and he will lay off Russian actions and use the US military to chase geese everywhere else. Russia gets a free hand, and the USAs reputation and economy will go down the toilet.

So, in this area, Russia and the US super rich have much in common. So, the US super rich, who own both the media and our government, will do their best to keep the negative aspects of this silences and investigations to a minimum.

[pangaia]

2. The super rich everywhere are besties..

Doesn't matter where they live.

They are their own state.

[Fast Walker 52]

5. I suppose... but I wonder if there's more to it than that

also, in theory Trump may be good for them, cutting taxes and GOP crap, but is he really going to be effective?

[Ready4Change]

7. For them, yes, he will be effective.

But what is effective for them, ie: the super rich, is not the same as being good for the USA, or the vast majority of its people. Over the next 4-8 years I expect the share of wealth held by the upper 5% to skyrocket, largely because they will maintain their current wealth while the rest of the nation goes down the tubes.

I see no will amongst those who could stop this TO stop this.

[Me.]

3. Shocked That This Is An Obsever Article

[Fast Walker 52]

4. how so?

[Me.]

6. The Puppet's Son-In-Law

Kushner, owns it