Thread by @MarkHertling

On a daily basis during my time in command of Army forces in Europe, every day the intelligence "black book" would provide more information on Putin's Russia attempts at malign influence against the west...and especially against the US.

Today, the @TheJusticeDept has taken action...but because of current divisions in the US, many Americans will have questions.

So let's talk about it...

A thread 🧵 1/12

During my service in Europe, I saw intelligence on:
-Rusian acts of sabotage within allied governments
-The creation of "frozen conflicts" w/in the territorial integrity of nations (including Moldova, Ukraine, Georgia, Armenia/Azerbaijan, two of the three Baltic countries, and the Balkans)
-the stoking & support of migration & human trafficking
-malicious cyber activities against whole of governments (most egregious example was Estonia)
-disinformation campaigns and election interference
-attempted and successful assassinations on foreign soil. 2/

In my last year of command of @USArmyEURAF (that was 2012), the Russian television station @RT_com asked me to do an interview, as we had just conducted an exercise with the Russian Army and I had invited the Chief of the Russian Ground Forces Col-Gen Chirkin to a conference. 3/

Even with my public affairs officer nearby, the "journalist" of @RT_com attempted to use that live video (I would not do a pre-recorded on) to spread mis- dis- and malinformation regarding the exercise and Chirkin's presence.

It is no wonder that @RT is part of the Justice Department report, as they have only become bolder through the years. 4/

After retiring from the military, I switched to watching open-source intelligence for continued malign actions by Putin & the Russian government...unsurprisingly they grew in shape and form.

Moldova & Transnistria was the most recent example:
5/usip.org/events/russias…

But that action was just an example...and Congress knew. Here's an example from just one of several Congressional hearings in the 115th Congress. 6/

congress.gov/event/115th-co…

The media knew, too, and reported extensively. Here's an example report from Bloomberg in 2015. 7/

bloomberg.com/news/articles/…

In 2018, @MollyMcKew and I wrote an article about Russia cyber campaigns against the US during our election. It was widely read due to the provocative title - and it was insulted by many who were starting to become part of a denying cult - but I still stand by it. I know Molly does, too. 8/
politico.com/magazine/story…

So today's action by the @StateDept and @USTreasury to put Russia, @RT_com (who have shifted activities to others to conduct their operations), several cyber organizations (ANO Dialogue, SDA (Social Design Agency), others), 32 internet domains), several US companies and individuals who contributed to distribution, and many individuals with malign activities in the spotlight of indictment, sanctions, and rewards for capture. 9/

state.gov/state-departme…

The statement by @SecBlinken (above) is succinct, and the @JusticeDept_RP document outlining the activities is relatively short (about 200 pages), unbiased, and apolitical. It is a stunning report. 10/
abcnews.go.com/Politics/biden…

This is the kind of misinformation that these organizations are using as part of a plan that would meet the Kremlin goal to "secure victory" for the "preferred outcome of the 2024 election." 11/

Many Americans will say "we've heard this before," or "just another Russia hoax," or "it's a democrat ploy."

I don't know how to counter those who believe that, other than to say "I've been watching this for years, have seen it happen in other countries, and it won't turn out good for our democracy." 12/12