Thread by @DietmarPichler1

Active Measures—covert operations, disinformation, infiltration, the creation of so-called 'front organizations' that lobby for the Kremlin—are not just relics of the Cold War; they are happening now, both online & offline.

Even the effect of the old campaigns persists🧵

For instance, the long-debunked, KGB-planted conspiracy theory that the U.S. government created HIV is still believed by many people around the world, including in the West. This myth remains a highly effective and persistent tool for damaging the reputation of the U.S.

Another example is the 'Peace movement,' partly influenced and infiltrated by the KGB, along with Czechoslovak and East German intelligence. The narrative that only the West must disarm and is solely responsible for aggression still persists among many participants.

This, of course, does not apply to all participants. Some voices have retrospectively questioned these movements for their often one-sided criticism and campaigning, and even had doubts about them back in the day.

Back in the Cold War days, the strategy of KGB active measures was not limited to influencing Soviet-aligned communist parties in the West, but also extended to organizations and individuals not suspected of being pro-USSR; these people were even more valuable and impactful.

Modern-day Russia and China continue this strategy, knowing how effective subtle propaganda is. We let our guard down when 'reliable' and 'reasonable' voices aren't suspected of an agenda, but this is naive and dangerous.

An incredible number of agents of influence are out there, blaming the West as much as possible while criticizing authoritarian regimes as superficially as they can, without being spotted as obvious propagandists.

I don't like Putin, BUT," "I don't praise China, BUT," "I condemn the invasion of Ukraine, BUT," "You don't have to agree with everything the Chinese government does, BUT the economy," "Multipolar world is a reality"—does this ring a bell?

They try to influence, infiltrate, and manipulate everything: civil society, political parties, the education system (universities!!!), books, mass media, and, since the 21st century, of course, the internet!

The most significant difference in active measures today is the unparalleled impact of online campaigning. However, we shouldn't let this distract us from the fact that other activities still exist and happen beyond our recognition.

When you watch this short documentary about Active Measures from 1984, you can be certain that the same or very similar activities are still happening today, and that people are still influenced by what occurred back then.

They were able to pick up right where they left off in their previous work and are now part of a larger team. China plays a more significant role than before, and the BRICS+ community has become a propaganda bloc.

The campaigns of authoritarian regimes often share similar or even identical messages: 'The West is bad,' 'The West lies about us,' 'You cannot trust Western media,' 'We are the future, the West is in decay,' and 'A multipolar world.'

So they unite their forces, influencing Western public opinion, creating instability, supporting political fringes, and even forcing centrist politicians to change their policies.

We do nothing about it; we even refuse to see or acknowledge it. The extent of these activities and developments is unknown to the majority of people. Instead, we prefer to limit the discourse to 'we need to talk about fake news on social media.'