John A. Gentry, Information Operations against the United States: Defensive Actions are Needed,
Countries long have tried to influence important foreign audiences, often by using their intelligence services. They have had different targets and goals, used various methods, and experienced different degrees of success. Communist countries have been especially prominent users of such methods. Soviet intelligence services conducted “disinformation” operations as part of lengthy “active measures” campaigns that largely were information-oriented. Many such efforts became institutionalized, meaning they continue to influence targeted groups long after the demise of the Soviet Union.[1] More recently, information operations have attracted popular attention as Russian intelligence services tried to influence elections in Western countries and the “hybrid warfare” campaigns Russia waged in Ukraine in 2014 and elsewhere had appreciable information components.[2] Also recently, Chinese “influence” operations have generated increased scholarly and government attention globally.[3] China prominently uses legal techniques designed to avoid politically embarrassing flaps over illegal actions.