Defense Watch: Election Interference, OPC Delay, Space Force Promotion, Network Industry Day

摘要

Foreign Interference. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence last Friday issued a new statement assessing unclassified foreign threats to the 2020 U.S. election that analyze the interests of China, Russian and Iran in the outcomes. No surprise, Russia still favors President Trump. "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," said William Evanina, director of the National Counterintelligence and Security Center. In addition, "Some Kremlin-linked actors are also seeking to boost President Trump's candidacy on social media and Russian television," he said. ...Help for Biden. While the focus of foreign interference in the 2016 presidential election was on Russia's support for Trump, this time around the playing field has increased and the plot has thickened. Both China and Iran would prefer Biden over Trump. "We assess that China prefers that President Trump-whom Beijing sees as unpredictable-does not win reelection," Evanina said. He also said 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." He also said that Iran is concerned that Trump, if he wins another term, will focus on continuing to press for regime change in the country.