Trump Adviser Blasts Russia ‘Subversion’

Donald Trump’s national security adviser has accused Russia of “a sophisticated campaign of subversion” to undermine free and open societies.

Gen HR McMaster told the BBC that Moscow used propaganda and disinformation against democracies.

He said Russia’s alleged meddling in US elections was “certainly” a national security threat.

He was speaking after President Trump’s new national security policy labelled Russia and China “rival powers”.

Gen McMaster told the BBC’s Yalda Hakim: “We have to look at what Russia’s actually doing. Of course we have to counter Russia’s destabilising behaviour, and the sophisticated campaigns of propaganda and disinformation.”

Those were “efforts to polarise communities and pit them against each other, especially in the democratic world and free and open societies”, he added, saying that the intent was to “weaken their popular will and their resolve”.

“I believe that Russia is engaged in a very sophisticated campaign of subversion to affect our confidence in democratic institutions, in democratic processes – including elections.”

He said the Russian campaign was targeting both sides of the political divide.

“They’ll support very left groups; they’ll support very right groups. What they want to do is create the kind of tension, the kind of vitriol, which undermines our confidence in who we are,” he said.

“One of the most important things is to pull the curtain back on this activity, and to expose it.”

Responding to the new national security policy on Tuesday, the Kremlin said it “cannot accept” that it is treated as a threat.

It also criticised what it said was the “imperialist character” of the document.

He also outlined his campaign promise to build a wall on the border with Mexico, as well as reform of the immigration visa system, which he said was necessary to defend the homeland.

The document itself is much more formal, with four core themes: protecting the homeland, promoting American prosperity, demonstrating peace through strength and advancing American influence.

The 68-page document took White House officials 11 months to create.

It explicitly states that “the United States will no longer turn a blind eye to violations, cheating or economic aggression”.

Referring to his election victory during the speech, he said that in 2016 voters chose to “Make America Great Again”.

Previous American leaders had “drifted” and “lost sight of America’s destiny” he said, standing before a backdrop of American flags.

“Now less than one year later I am proud to report that the entire world has heard the news and has seen the signs,” he said.

“America is coming back and America is coming back strong.”

Source: BBC