Russia, China, Iran Intensify Election Interference Tactics in 2024 \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ As the U.S. election approaches, foreign adversaries Russia, Iran, and China have heightened their disinformation and hacking efforts to influence American politics. From Russia’s disinformation videos to Iran’s hacking tactics and China’s neutral stance on top races, national security officials and tech companies are increasingly vigilant, taking proactive steps to debunk these foreign election threats.
Key Election Threats from Russia, Iran, and China in 2024
- Russia’s Focus: Disinformation videos, social media campaigns supporting Trump.
- Iran’s Involvement: Hacking Trump associates, targeting former officials.
- China’s Strategy: Focus on down-ballot races, extensive hacking of officials.
- Escalation Risks: Officials warn of potential for incited protests post-election.
- U.S. Response: Aggressive debunking and exposure of foreign threats.
Deep Look
This wave of interference underscores both the evolving tactics used by foreign actors to sway U.S. voters and the U.S. government’s intensified focus on transparency and resilience. Intelligence agencies and cybersecurity teams have taken a more aggressive approach, identifying and exposing foreign threats in real time. This transparency reflects lessons learned from previous election cycles, when disinformation campaigns underscored America’s vulnerability to foreign meddling.
Russia’s Leading Role in Election Interference
Of the three countries, Russia is considered the most active and sophisticated in targeting the U.S. election. Through a network of fake websites, state-controlled media, and covert partnerships with American influencers, the Kremlin’s strategy aims to sow discord by amplifying controversial topics such as immigration, crime, and economic policies. Intelligence reports indicate that Moscow’s overarching goal is to weaken the U.S., reduce American support for Ukraine, and counter U.S. influence as Russia strengthens its alliances with China, North Korea, and Iran.
Intelligence officials believe Russia is using disinformation campaigns to support former President Donald Trump, whose criticism of NATO and support for defunding Ukraine’s defense align with Russian interests. Russian operatives have even staged disinformation videos targeting Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, in a bid to discredit the opposition. One video falsely accused Harris of involvement in a car crash that allegedly paralyzed a woman, while another spread fictitious allegations against Walz. Both videos were quickly debunked, but their release highlights Russia’s ongoing influence campaign.
The Kremlin’s influence operations extend beyond traditional media. Last month, two Russian state media employees were accused of funneling $10 million through a Tennessee company to finance pro-Russian content. These funds allegedly paid American social media influencers, many of whom were unaware of the Kremlin’s involvement. Analysts predict that Russia’s campaign will persist beyond Election Day, with disinformation narratives likely to question election integrity and incite protests. A declassified intelligence memo released this month supports these predictions, warning that Russia may exploit election-related concerns to foster mistrust and division within the U.S.
Iran’s Aggressive Hacking and Disinformation Tactics
The Department of Justice recently charged three Iranian hackers for their roles in these efforts, accusing them of orchestrating a years-long operation targeting U.S. political campaigns. Iran’s motivation stems from longstanding grievances with Trump’s administration, which ended a nuclear agreement, reinstated sanctions, and ordered the assassination of General Qassem Soleimani. Officials fear that Iran may attempt to carry out violent acts against U.S. officials, citing past incidents in which Iran-linked operatives were charged in plots targeting Trump’s national security adviser, John Bolton, and other figures.
Officials also raised concerns that Iran could encourage violent protests following the election. Intelligence sources have connected Iran to covert funding for U.S.-based protests, particularly over issues linked to the Gaza conflict, further illustrating Iran’s aim to disrupt American stability.
China’s Subtle Influence Focused on Down-Ballot Races
China’s approach to U.S. election interference differs significantly from that of Russia and Iran. While China is less focused on the presidential race, its intelligence activities have targeted down-ballot candidates whose stances on Taiwan and China-U.S. relations could affect Beijing’s strategic interests. Unlike Russia’s brazen disinformation tactics, China has concentrated on maintaining a network of hackers targeting U.S. infrastructure and political figures.
Recent reports suggest Chinese hackers have accessed phones linked to Trump, his running mate J.D. Vance, and people connected to Vice President Harris. Although details of the breach remain unclear, the scope of China’s intelligence operations is well-documented, and its broad espionage efforts extend beyond election influence. As Adam Darrah, a former CIA analyst and current cybersecurity executive at ZeroFox, explained, “From city council to president, they want access.” China’s efforts highlight its intention to maintain influence across multiple facets of Western society and governance.
Historical Context of Election Interference and Evolving U.S. Defenses
Foreign attempts to interfere in U.S. elections are not new; Russia, China, and Iran were all active in past election cycles, but their methods and reach have become increasingly sophisticated. In 2016, Russian operatives hacked emails belonging to Hillary Clinton’s campaign and the Democratic National Committee, releasing these communications to benefit Trump’s presidential bid. That same year, Russia ran a massive social media campaign aimed at creating divisions among U.S. voters by amplifying polarizing issues. During the 2020 election, Iranian hackers were linked to a scheme involving emails falsely attributed to the Proud Boys, with officials concluding the operation was designed to harm Trump’s candidacy.
Today, the U.S. government is tackling foreign threats more proactively, using early identification and public disclosure as key strategies. Intelligence officials are working closely with social media platforms to monitor suspicious activity and quickly debunk disinformation. This heightened awareness is evident in cases like the Pennsylvania ballot destruction video, where Russian involvement was publicly confirmed by the FBI shortly after the video spread.
Public transparency has also become a critical element of election security. Many election officials now offer open tours of ballot processing facilities and post real-time updates on social media to counter misinformation before it gains traction. These changes reflect an emphasis on building voter confidence through transparent communication and collaboration with law enforcement.
Looking Forward: Defending U.S. Democracy Against Foreign Interference
By actively exposing foreign interference and enhancing transparency, the U.S. aims to safeguard the integrity of the democratic process. Intelligence experts warn that foreign attempts to disrupt or manipulate American politics are unlikely to cease, emphasizing the need for vigilance in both government and public response.
