Russia Is Targeting Europe’s Elections. So Are Far-Right Copycats. | NYT

Meanwhile, rather than taking substantive actions to protect future U.S. elections from Russian interference, The GOP’s increasing embrace of Trump’s Russia conspiracy theory | Washington Post

"The activity offers fresh evidence that despite indictments, expulsions and recriminations, Russia remains undeterred in its campaign to widen political divisions and weaken Western institutions. Despite online policing efforts by American technology companies, it remains far easier to spread false information than to stop it.

Russia remains a driving force, but researchers also discovered numerous copycats, particularly on the far right. Those groups often echo Kremlin talking points, making it difficult to discern the lines between Russian propaganda, far-right disinformation and genuine political debate.

Investigators are confident, however, that networks of Facebook profiles, Twitter accounts, WhatsApp groups and websites are spreading false and divisive stories about the European Union, NATO, immigrants and more. Conspiracy theories are peddled freely, including that last month’s Notre-Dame fire was the work of Islamic terrorists, a spy agency, or an elite cabal that secretly runs the world."

Russia Is Targeting Europe’s Elections. So Are Far-Right Copycats. | NYT