Catherine Herridge points to complexities of Russia, China, Iran report from intel community

1
290

The recent press release from the NCSC William Evanina indicating that Russia prefers President Trump and China and Iran prefer Joe Biden is far more nuanced than originally reported.

Catherine Herridge picked up the complexities.

China doesn’t want President Trump to win re-election in November. What many didn’t hear is China wants to continue expanding its influence to shape policy in the USA and pressure politicos opposed to China’s interest and counter-criticism of China. They are angry about Trump’s views on Hong Kong, TikTok, the South China Sea, and 5G.

  • CHINA– We assess that China prefers that President Trump – whom Beijing sees as unpredictable – does not win reelection. China has been expanding its influence efforts ahead of November 2020 to shape the policy environment in the United States, pressure political figures it views as opposed to China’s interests, and deflect and counter-criticism of China. Although China will continue to weigh the risks and benefits of aggressive action, its public rhetoric over the past few months has grown increasingly critical of the current Administration’s COVID-19 response, closure of China’s Houston Consulate, and actions on other issues. For example, it has harshly criticized the Administration’s statements and actions on Hong Kong, TikTok, the legal status of the South China Sea, and China’s efforts to dominate the 5G market. Beijing recognizes that all of these efforts might affect the presidential race.

Russia PRIMARILY denigrates former VP Biden.

  • RUSSIA– We assess that Russia is using a range of measures to primarily denigrate former Vice President Biden and what it sees as an anti-Russia “establishment.” This is consistent with Moscow’s public criticism of him when he was Vice President for his role in the Obama Administration’s policies on Ukraine and its support for the anti-Putin opposition inside Russia. For example, pro-Russia Ukrainian parliamentarian Andriy Derkach is spreading claims about corruption – including through publicizing leaked phone calls – to undermine former Vice President Biden’s candidacy and the Democratic Party. Some Kremlin-linked actors are also seeking to boost President Trump’s candidacy on social media and Russian television.

Iran wants to undermine US institutions and President Trump.

  • IRAN – We assess that Iran seeks to undermine U.S. democratic institutions, President Trump, and to divide the country in advance of the 2020 elections. Iran’s efforts along these lines probably will focus on on-line influence, such as spreading disinformation on social media and recirculating anti-U.S. content. Tehran’s motivation to conduct such activities is, in part, driven by a perception that President Trump’s reelection would result in a continuation of U.S. pressure on Iran in an effort to foment regime change.

PowerInbox
0 0 votes
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of
guest

1 Comment
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
darla martin
Guest
darla martin
3 years ago

God Bless President Trump in his daily battle to protect America’s economy, safety, strength in the world order. China and the democrat party is our democracy’s greatest threats. and God bless America.