Thread by @JMichaelWaller

1) Top US intelligence expert on China explains how CCP combines spying with political influence operations by targeting "soft targets" like politicians. @neftimiades theepochtimes.com/soft-targets-c…

2) The Chinese op against @ericswalwell "showed how the Chinese regime is willing to invest in the long game—targeting local officials who might become state or national representatives years down the line. It’s a strategy ... that 'can really be devastating to another country.'"

3) "By targeting politicians, Fang was gaining access to those who might shape the United States’ policies toward China.

"'When you have access to that, why do you need classified information?' @neftimiades said."

3) "You’re basically jumping over the secret world, and getting to the infrastructure that controls the nation,” @neftimiades said. “And that infrastructure is, ironically, not protected."

4) "Congress members, not required to have security clearances, have been particularly vulnerable to covert influence and spying efforts for decades, Eftimiades said."

5) Communist China targeted Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) by placing a spy as her driver. The spy was also the senator's liaison to the Asian-American community in the San Francisco Bay area.

6) "Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe wrote in a recent op-ed that this election year, the Chinese regime engaged in a 'massive influence campaign that included targeting several dozen members of Congress and congressional aides.'"

7) "House Republicans ... have called for Swalwell’s removal from the House Intelligence Committee, a position that allows him access to sensitive information not available to other congress members. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) defended Swalwell...."

8) "Fang’s [Swalwell] case is ultimately one component of a sprawling intelligence and influence apparatus orchestrated by the Chinese regime. 'It’s far more vast than any other country on the planet,'" @neftimiades said.

9) "Separating Chinese efforts from other nations, the regime has perfected an integrated, holistic approach to subversion of Western democracies.

"'It’s this coordinated effort, a global effort that interlinks espionage, influence, propaganda and diplomacy,'" @neftimiades said.

10) "China’s efforts go from its diplomatic efforts to its collection and influence efforts against the political infrastructure, to information efforts online, even down to their online trolls,” @neftimiades added.