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One thing has been bothering me about #RussianReport.
The report speaks eloquently of Russian 'disinformation warfare', and there is indeed lots of evidence that this is Putin's modus operandi. 1/6
The report speaks eloquently of Russian 'disinformation warfare', and there is indeed lots of evidence that this is Putin's modus operandi. 1/6
The report then - rightly - castigates the Govt for turning a blind eye to Russian interference. For example, re the Brexit referendum, the Govt didn't find evidence, simply because it chose not to look. 2/6
But... the report, and indeed much of the subsequent commentary, doesn't make the next - to my mind far more damning - step. 3/6
Russia is well-practised in the dark arts of 'disinformation warfare'... but it is by no means the only one. There are plenty more 'disinformation warriors' who aim to distort democracy for their own ends. 4/6
They exist everywhere.
Some of them may even be British. Some may be connected to Vote Leave... or, in its 2020 incarnation, the upper echelons of the UK Government. 5/6
Some of them may even be British. Some may be connected to Vote Leave... or, in its 2020 incarnation, the upper echelons of the UK Government. 5/6
So yes, Russia does pose a threat to the UK, and we should investigate and resist its efforts to interfere in UK. But, we should also be looking rather closer to home. 6/6
