Overstating the effects of foreign interference risks causing more damage than the interference itself, warns RidT based on research into a century of political warfare
Covert propaganda has long been used to destabilise geopolitical opponents, from the CIA's funding of a jazz magazine in Germany in the 1950s through to what Professor Thomas Rid argues is the overestimated effects of Russian interference in the 2016 US presidential election.
He highlights the predicament of democracies today with examples from both sides of the Cold War divide, from CIA operations in East Berlin in the 1950s through to the sacking of West German defence minister Franz-Josef Strauss after the KGB leaked documents about a NATO military exercise to an investigative German magazine.
"The Russian interference is too often described as successful, as powerful, as effective, as over-arching, with multiple attack-vectors... but without taking half a measure of the actual facts," he said. In this sense it stands in stark contrast to the Russia report written by parliament's intelligence and security committee, whichImage:It was unfortunately after Professor Rid's book was completed, and after parliament's Russia report was completed too that the UK would find itself the victim of an active measures operation during the general election last year.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
James Cosmo: Why did he leave Game of Thrones?JAMES COSMO is starring on The Chase Celebrity Special tonight (Saturday, August 15). Why did James Cosmo leave Game of Thrones?
Read more »
Chrissy Teigen explains why she's taken a pregnancy test every month since the age of 21'I didn't think I could get pregnant naturally'
Read more »
Why having a sexual dry spell can be a good thingBecause having a break from sex doesn't always need to be negative.
Read more »
Why St Andrew’s students are still sharing their stories of abuseStories of sexual violence on university campuses have exploded in recent years, but largely in the USA. Now a group of students at a Scottish university are determined to be heard. Sophie Gallagher speaks to them
Read more »
Why water has healing powers, and where to reap the benefits around BritainWater has unique restorative properties, so join the ‘blue health’ boom and get surfing, paddling and fishing 🏄♀️ 🛶 🎣
Read more »
Gemma Atkinson: Why did Gemma Atkinson quit Emmerdale as Carly Hope?GEMMA ATKINSON will be appearing on The Chase tonight (Saturday, August 15) and fans remember her from Emmerdale. Why did Gemma Atkinson quit Emmerdale as Carly Hope?
Read more »