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Statement from Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines on recent Iranian influence efforts
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines today released the following statement:
The Intelligence Community recognizes the importance of informing the public of foreign efforts to influence our democratic processes and, consequently, leading into the Presidential and congressional elections this year, we are launching today the first of what will be regular updates regarding such threats.
Our updates can be expected to cover a range of foreign malign activities and election security threats, as you will see in today’s update. In particular, I would like to take this opportunity to draw your attention to concerning Iranian activity.
As I noted in testimony to the Congress in May, Iran is becoming increasingly aggressive in their foreign influence efforts, seeking to stoke discord and undermine confidence in our democratic institutions, as we have seen them do in the past, including in prior election cycles. They continue to adapt their cyber and influence activities, using social media platforms and issuing threats. It is likely they will continue to rely on their intelligence services in these efforts, as well as Iran-based online influencers, to promote their narratives.
In recent weeks, Iranian government actors have sought to opportunistically take advantage of ongoing protests regarding the war in Gaza, using a playbook we’ve seen other actors use over the years. We have observed actors tied to Iran’s government posing as activists online, seeking to encourage protests, and even providing financial support to protesters.
I want to be clear that I know Americans who participate in protests are, in good faith, expressing their views on the conflict in Gaza – this intelligence does not indicate otherwise. Moreover, the freedom to express diverse views, when done peacefully, is essential to our democracy, but it is also important to warn of foreign actors who seek to exploit our debate for their own purposes.
Furthermore, Americans who are being targeted by this Iranian campaign may not be aware that they are interacting with or receiving support from a foreign government. We urge all Americans to remain vigilant as they engage online with accounts and actors they do not personally know.
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Categories: Commentary, National/International News, Press Release
Boy, there’s a real shocker, huh? Islamic extremists have been making headway in secondary and college campuses & beyond for decades now thanks to the USA not wanting to “offend”, their insatiable appetite in embracing “diversity” & Obama’s presence & actions as POTUS.
Funny thing is, like many patriots – I personally remain perpetually “offended”, primarily by that entire 9/11 “incident”. And I always will.
The rise of real antisemitism is shocking but predictable. History behaves this way. Decades ago fanatic supporters of Israel labeled all criticism of Israel as “antisemitism”. This has backfired. Their failure to engage in constructive discussion has cost the cause of Israel.
They had a good cast to make, but failed to so do. Such chauvinism obscures factuality.
Now the only country in the region where there is freedom of religion and where women have equality is in danger.
Freedom to express diverse views is one thing.
Expressing support for the savage and sadistic rape, butchery, and the beheading and murder of Israeli citizens, babies, and families is downright wicked. There is no justification on the planet for support of such evil. Best case scenario is that easily indoctrinated students and others quickly sign on to stupid and faddish Marxist tropes without ever thinking about or considering historical, cultural, geopolitical, and spiritual contexts.
May do not even know about 911, let alone the Holocaust, and don’t pause to consider the foolishness and danger of being manipulated by the false narratives.
This is but one of several reason why education programs about the Holocaust in Vermont public schools makes sense. Those who forget history are doomed to repeat it.