Those Pesky Russians

For John, BLUF:  If you think the Russians aren't at it 24/7, on a range of issues, you aren't thinking broadly enough.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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Report: Russia Used Social Media to Disrupt U.S. Energy Markets by Promoting Pipeline Protests, Climate Change Debate

Here is the sub-headline:

The House Committee on Science Space and Technology released a report on Thursday detailing how Russia has been using social media platforms to disrupt domestic energy markets and influence domestic energy policies.

This is from Breitbart, by Reporter Penny Starr, 2 March 2018.

Here is the lede plus three:

The 21-page report includes Russian posts on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, some with photographs and slogans.

“The committee began investigating Russian attempts to influence U.S. energy markets in the summer of 2017 when Chairman [Lamar] Smith wrote [to] the Secretary of Treasury regarding Russia’s intricate money-laundering scheme.  Russian-sponsored agents funneled money to U.S. environmental organizations in an attempt to portray energy companies in a negative way and disrupt domestic energy markets,” the report states.

“Upon discovering that Russia may have exploited American social media platforms to accomplish its disruptive objectives, the committee broadened the scope of its investigation,” the report outlines.  “On September 26, 2017, the Committee requested data from Facebook and Twitter as part of this expanded investigation.”

The documents social media companies provided to the committee confirm Russia’s influence peddling, according to the report.

Is it Russia's plan to foment dissension in the Western World?

Yes.

Hat tip to my Wife.

Regards  —  Cliff