Thread by @jseldin

NEW signs #Russia's relentless info ops targeting US troops are paying off-almost half (46%) of armed services households now say they see #Moscow as an ally

Worried @DeptofDefense "actively working to expose & counter" the #Kremlin's efforts

More here:
voanews.com/usa/pentagon-c…

@DeptofDefense Defense & security officials have told @VOANews #Russia has been targeting US military personnel, specifically, with a ramped-up influence campaign starting as far back as 2017 so that they would be predisposed to view #Moscow in a more favorable way

Now a survey by the @RonaldReagan conducted in October found 46% of armed services households in the US see #Russia "as more of an ally"

In comparison, only 28% of all of those surveyed & just 30% of those w/"very favorable" views of @POTUS saw #Russia as an ally

When asked about the results, Pentagon officials were concerned

“There is an effort, on the part of #Russia, to flood the media with disinformation to sow doubt and confusion" a @DeptofDefense spokesperson told @VOANews

“This is not only through discordant & inflammatory dialogue but through false narratives designed to illicit sympathetic views,” the @DeptofDefense spokesperson said, adding “we are actively working to expose and counter #Russia|n disinformation whenever possible”

There are concerns #Russia info ops efforts are paying off among civilians as well - 28% of all those in the @RonaldReagan survey saw #Russia as more of an ally, an increase from 19% in last year's poll
voanews.com/usa/pentagon-c…

"It's dangerous" @NATOSource told @VOANews

"The new polls reveal a significant change among Republican voters who historically have been opposed to Russia...More&more Republicans have changed their views on Russia because of President Trump’s positive statements about Russia"

Some former officials, while concerned, see a limited impact so far

"Many Republicans can slavishly follow Trump's lead...but still, say, support defense expenditures designed to maintain strength vis-a-vis #Russia” per former senior @CIA officer Paul Pillar

The @RonaldReagan survey also found most Americans support the country's current nat'l defense strategy - which lists #China & #Russia as the top US adversaries

“They want America to take the lead when it comes to international events" per @rachelhoff814