The most interesting takeaway from special counsel Robert Mueller’s new indictments is what they tell us about Russian strategic ambitions.
As I see it, there are two key elements at play here.
First, Russia’s election interference had a specific focus on weakening candidates seen as hostile to Russian interests. The indictments mention Russian influencing efforts designed to provoke American voters against Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Hillary Clinton: all of who had taken tough positions against Russian President Vladimir Putin’s interests and were, at the time of the Russian influencing efforts, in a position to perceivably secure their respective party’s nominations.
At the same time, the Russians sought to support Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., (whose foreign policy vision was and is a Putin dream come true) and later, Donald Trump (whose campaign positions on issues such as NATO and Putin) were in Russian strategic favor. One caveat here is that, sanctions enforcement aside, President Trump’s foreign policy has been tougher on Russia in various important areas than was former President Barack Obama’s. Moreover, it seems to be heading further in that direction.
Second, the indictments show that Russia sought to destabilize U.S. civil society by fostering discord.
As the Washington Examiner’s Sarah Westwood points out,
Interesting: Mueller’s investigation finds Russians also organized AGAINST Trump as well as for him pic.twitter.com/uQAfiR5Z1J
— Sarah Westwood (@sarahcwestwood) February 16, 2018
This is not shocking. Rather it reflects Russia’s long-term strategic vision of weakening the United States. Putin knows that if Americans are fighting amongst ourselves, we will be less able to unify in opposition to his aggressive foreign policy agenda.
Ultimately, these new indictments speak to one solemn and sustaining truth: the Russian government is America’s adversary.
