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U.S. adversaries conducting influence operations targeting the November election are expected to adapt to developments in the presidential race, U.S. intelligence officials said on Monday (July 29), an apparent reference to Joe Biden’s abandonment of his re-election bid.
The official said the unidentified foreign power was particularly concerned about “events that occurred this month related to the presidential campaign,” but did not directly mention President Biden’s decision to withdraw.
The official’s comments suggest U.S. intelligence agencies expect foreign powers to refocus influence operations on Vice President Kamala Harris, whom Biden has endorsed as the Democratic standard-bearer.
“We expect these actors to adapt these events and incorporate them into their influence narratives seeking to undermine democratic institutions,” the official said, without identifying specific foreign actors.
Biden, 81, ended his weak re-election campaign on July 21 under growing pressure from fellow Democrats and nominated Harris as his party’s nominee to take on Republican Donald Trump, reshaping the Nov. 5 presidential race.
Officials from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence briefed reporters, citing reports from non-governmental organizations, saying foreign powers had used the July 13 assassination of Trump “as part of their narrative.”
A senior intelligence official said that based on the intelligence community’s previous assessment, Tehran and Moscow have maintained the same preferences as in past presidential elections, with Iranian operatives trying to overturn the Republican platform and Russia working to discredit the Democratic Party.
Iran’s UN mission in an email denied that Iran engaged in any “activities aimed at influencing the US elections” and said many such allegations “bear the hallmarks of psychological warfare aimed at artificially inspiring electoral activities.”
The Russian Embassy did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
In the past, Russia and Iran have tried to hire real Americans to participate in operations through fake front companies and third-party websites. Another official explained that doing so can provide them with cover and allow them to sound more authentic.
American adversaries targeting the U.S. election have also outsourced influence operations to marketing and communications firms, with Moscow using Russian influence-for-hire firms to shape American public opinion.
Officials say there are a variety of similar companies in Latin America and the Middle East that could be used to hide responsibility.
Meanwhile, Chinese government agencies are using a Chinese technology company to step up covert influence operations in the U.S., the official said. They added that while the Chinese government may not be looking to influence the outcome of the U.S. election, it is using social media to sow division among the American people.
A spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy said in an email that China does not interfere in the internal affairs of other countries, “has no intention and will not interfere in the US election”, and hopes that the United States will not use the China issue as an election issue.
Read more by Euractiv
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