Thread by @ZarinaZabrisky

A thread sharing 17 tactics used by the #Kremlin to destroy Western democracy. There is an army of trained, Kremlin-paid political technologists, a supporting army of troll farms in and outside of #Russia, and their allies using these tactics. Graphics by @LuluLemew

"Agent of influence uses his or her position to influence public opinion or decision making to produce results beneficial to the country whose intelligence service operates the agent. (Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agent_of_…)

Agents of influence are often the most difficult agents to detect, as there is seldom material evidence that connects them with a foreign power, but they can be among the most effective means of influencing foreign opinion and actions.

Most commonly they serve the interests of a foreign power in one of three ways: either as a controlled agent directly recruited and controlled by a foreign power; as a "trusted contact" that consciously collaborates to advance foreign interests but is not directly recruited...

...or controlled by a foreign power; or as a "useful idiot" that is completely unaware of how their actions further the interests of a foreign power." A "useful idiot" is a person who fell for brainwashing and is unwittingly acts in the interest of the adversary.

The Kremlin cultivates such allies, paying special attention to celebrities and acclaimed authors and intellectuals. People with radical views, on both the left and right sides of the specter, are easy targets.

Learn to recognize these tactics and use critical thinking. Share this information to protect yourself and our democracy. This is a mind war and knowledge is a weapon.

Thread ☝️ on 17 tactics of mind war used by the Kremlin to defeat our democracy. #propaganda #brainwashing @WendySiegelman @peterjukes @StephenColegra1 @AlexandraChalup @BylineTimes @gregolear @grantstern @MSignorile @EmmaLBriant @RVAwonk @NaveedAJamali