China and Russia are Infiltrating Western Democracies
How China and Russia are attempting to take us over via a long game plan
CHINA AND RUSSIA INFILTRATE WESTERN DEMOCRACIES TO ADVANCE GEOPOLITICAL AGENDAS
By Grant Adam Coleman June 21, 2024
In recent years, both China and Russia have been accused of systematically infiltrating Western democracies to undermine democratic institutions and further their geopolitical goals. This multifaceted strategy involves cyber-attacks, economic pressure, disinformation campaigns, and manipulating influential individuals within these countries.
Cyber-attacks are a primary tool used by both nations. Chinese state-sponsored hackers have reportedly penetrated numerous governmental and corporate systems, stealing sensitive information and intellectual property.
According to a 2020 U.S. Department of Justice report, the Equifax breach in 2017, affecting 147 million Americans, was attributed to Chinese military hackers (Source: DOJ Report, 2020).
Similarly, Russian cyber operatives have been implicated in major disruptions, including the infamous interference in the 2016 U.S. Presidential election.
The Special Counsel Report released by Robert Mueller in 2019 detailed extensive Russian efforts to influence election outcomes through cyber-attacks and social media manipulation (Source: Mueller Report, 2019).
China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) extends its reach through substantial investments and loans, binding countries economically. In 2019, the Council on Foreign Relations report highlighted how BRI projects often lead to increased Chinese influence in policy-making within recipient countries (Source: CFR Report, 2019).
Russia’s strategy involves leveraging its energy exports, particularly natural gas, to exert political pressure. A 2018 study by the European Council on Foreign Relations noted that many European countries' dependency on Russian gas creates vulnerabilities, making them susceptible to political manipulation (Source: ECFR Study, 2018).
Both nations also strategically utilize influential individuals within Western democracies. Investigative reports have uncovered numerous cases where former and current political figures and business leaders are employed and/or communicated with by entities linked to China and Russia.
In 2020, an investigation by The Guardian revealed how former British politicians and diplomats were hired by Chinese companies to lobby for favorable policies (Source: The Guardian, 2020).
In the U.S., the Senate Intelligence Committee's report on Russian interference in 2020 detailed how individuals were strategically placed within American political and business circles to sway decisions in Russia’s favor (Source: Senate Intelligence Report, 2020). This is now being exposed in Canada’s political realm as well as in Australia and New Zealand. This is not isolated to the USA! - As I’m a Canadian it’s concerning the regular reports we are receiving through investigative media such as our CBC News,
Disinformation is another critical tool. Russian disinformation campaigns, as evidenced by multiple studies including one by the RAND Corporation in 2018, have sown discord and undermined trust in democratic institutions by spreading fake news and conspiracy theories (Source: RAND Study, 2018).
China has increasingly adopted similar tactics. A 2021 report by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute highlighted the use of Chinese state media and online bots to manipulate narratives about the COVID-19 pandemic and other key issues (Source: ASPI Report, 2021).
Western democracies are responding with increased intelligence sharing, stringent regulations on foreign investments, and expanded cybersecurity measures. The European Union’s Digital Services Act, introduced in 2020, aims to curb the spread of disinformation and enhance online transparency (Source: European Commission, 2020).
The infiltration of Western democracies from my perspective by China and Russia is a significant threat to global stability and democratic integrity. Vigilance, robust countermeasures, and international collaboration are essential in combating this sophisticated coercion.