Foreign Influence Operations Heat Up Ahead of U.S. Presidential Election

Foreign actors are expected to adapt their influence campaigns for the upcoming U.S. presidential election, particularly after Joe Biden announced he would not seek re-election. These operations target Vice President Kamala Harris, endorsed by Biden, and aim to undermine U.S. democratic institutions.

Foreign actors are poised to adapt their influence campaigns ahead of the U.S. presidential election, particularly following Joe Biden's announcement to withdraw his re-election bid, an intelligence official reported Monday.

The official suggested that foreign entities would now focus on Vice President Kamala Harris, whom Biden endorsed as the Democratic Party candidate. These actors aim to exploit current events to disrupt U.S. democratic processes.

Despite denials from Iranian and Russian missions, intelligence assessments indicate Tehran seeks to damage the Republican ticket while Moscow aims to discredit the Democrats. Both nations have historically employed Americans through clandestine operations to add credibility to their campaigns, often using marketing and communications firms for cover.

(With inputs from agencies.)