The U.S. is growing increasingly wary of foreign interference into its November 5 elections. Russia, Iran, and China will push the sphere of influence upwards with the spreading of disinformation, fueled by artificial intelligence, and the rise of social divisions, all in place through made-up websites to look like authentic media accounts in the United States. The Russians have been very active, creating fake websites that resemble legitimate U.S. media outlets and promoting divisive narratives about migrants. Iran is also playing its part, with Iranian operatives masquerading as activists, and inciting a wave of protests over the Gaza conflict.
Foreign threats are cited as a means through which they will seek to exploit partisan tensions in an “increasingly close presidential contest between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump,” according to the report by the DHS. Domestically, the report raises an alarm on the dangers of domestic extremists who may engage in violent acts in an effort to instill fear in the voters and thereby disrupt the election process.
Consolidated internal and external threats will reduce confidence in U.S. democratic institutions.
