Russia’s Asymmetric Threat: An Expert Brief

Beautiful illuminated famous Kremlin in Moscow at Twilight – Night. The official residence of the president of the Russian Federation. Moscow, Russia.

By John Sipher

John Sipher worked for the CIA’s clandestine service for 28 years. He is now a nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council and a co-founder of Spycraft Entertainment. John served multiple overseas tours as Chief of Station and Deputy Chief of Station in Europe, Asia, and in high-threat environments. He is the recipient of CIA’s Distinguished Career Intelligence Medal.

The U.S. has issued new economic sanctions against seven individuals linked to a Russian internet troll factory.  The sanctions were announced Monday with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo calling them a warning to foreigners seeking to interfere in U.S. elections.

The U.S. Government is bolstering its efforts to defend voting systems ahead of next year’s presidential vote, though those efforts aren’t expected to completely deter Russian interference.  Moscow has effectively used a number of low-cost, asymmetric tactics against the U.S. in what national security leaders call an overall effort to sow chaos and instability in the country.  Disinformation has been another favored tactic.

Access all of The Cipher Brief’s national security-focused expert insight by becoming a Cipher Brief Subscriber+ Member.

Sign Up Log In


Related Articles

Search

Close