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Russia aims to undermine support for Ukraine during US election, intelligence warns

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Russia plans information campaigns to sow division in the U.S. society and undermine support for Ukraine in swing states during the upcoming presidential race, American intelligence officials told journalists on July 9.

When asked whether Moscow seeks to boost a specific candidate, an official of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) said that they have “have not observed a shift in Russia’s preferences for the presidential race from past elections, given the role the U.S. is playing with regard to Ukraine and broader policy toward Russia.”

Russia has been accused of using social media disinformation, bot farms, and other means to back Donald Trump against his Democratic opponents – Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden – during the 2016 and 2020 elections.

President Biden is most likely going to face Trump again in the November vote.

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WTF is wrong with Russia?

“We are beginning to see Russia target specific voter demographics, promote divisive narratives, and denigrate specific politicians,” the ONDI official said.

Moscow is “undertaking a whole-of-government approach to influence the election, including the presidential race, Congress and public opinion,” the official added.

“To accomplish this, Moscow is using a variety of approaches to bolster its messaging and lend an air of authenticity to its efforts. This includes outsourcing its efforts to commercial firms to hide its hand and laundering narratives through influential U.S. voices.”

The U.S. Justice Department announced on July 9 that it had uncovered close to 1,000 accounts on X linked to a Russian bot farm disseminating disinformation in the country.

The result of the election could have a profound impact on Ukraine as it faces Russia’s full-scale invasion.

The Biden administration positioned the U.S. as the leading force in the pro-Kyiv coalition, albeit attracting some criticism from allies over the president’s incremental approach to providing weapons and restrictions on the use of American arms.

While Trump criticized the aid for Kyiv in the past, he has been evasive in public regarding his stances toward Ukraine as the election drew near.

The former president repeatedly promised to end Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine within 24 hours, with several media reports suggesting this could involve blocking Ukraine’s NATO accession or forcing the country to cede territory to Russia.

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US intelligence official indicates Russia prefers Trump as election victor

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WASHINGTON, July 9 (Reuters) – The U.S. has not seen Russia shift on its preference from previous U.S. presidential elections on who it prefers to win this year, a U.S. intelligence official said on Tuesday, indicating that Moscow again favors Republican Donald Trump.

The official, briefing reporters on U.S. election security, did not name the former president and presumptive Republican nominee when asked who Moscow wants as the next U.S. president.

But he indicated that Russia favored Trump, saying the U.S. intelligence community had not changed its assessments from previous elections.

Those assessments had found that Moscow tried through influence campaigns to help Trump win in 2016, opens new tab against Hillary Clinton and in 2020 against President Joe Biden.

“We have not observed a shift in Russia’s preferences for the presidential race from past elections, given the role the U.S. is playing with regard to Ukraine and broader policy toward Russia,” said the official from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI).

The Russian embassy did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The Trump campaign responded by saying Biden was weak on Russia, as evidenced by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

“When President Trump was in the Oval Office, Russia and all of America’s adversaries were deterred, because they feared how the United States would respond,” Karoline Leavitt, the Trump campaign’s press secretary, said in a statement.

Trump frequently has criticized the scale of U.S. military support for Ukraine – some $60 billion since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022 – and called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy “the greatest salesman ever.”

Two of Trump’s national security advisers have presented him with a plan to end U.S. military aid to Ukraine unless it opened talks with Russia to end the conflict.
On policy toward NATO, Trump has said he would “encourage” Russia to do “whatever the hell they want” to any alliance member that did not spend enough on defense and he would not defend them.

The NATO charter obliges members to come to the defense of members that are attacked.

The ODNI official conducted the briefing on condition of anonymity with ODNI colleagues and officials from the FBI and the National Coordinator for Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience, an agency that conducts cyber defense for the government and works with private industry.

He defined election influence as efforts to shape the outcome of polls or undermine democratic processes, while interference constitutes efforts to disrupt the ability of the U.S. to hold a free and fair vote.

The U.S. has not monitored plans by any country to “degrade or disrupt” the country’s ability to hold the November elections, he said.

But Russia, he continued, through social media and other means has begun trying to influence specific groups of U.S. voters in battleground states, “promote divisive narratives and denigrate specific politicians,” whom he did not identify.

“Russia is undertaking a whole of government approach to influence the election, including the presidential, Congress, and public opinion,” he said.

Moscow “determines which candidates they’re willing to support or oppose largely based on their stance toward further U.S. aid to Ukraine and related issues,” said the official. “It’s all the tactics we’ve seen before, primarily through social media efforts” and “using U.S. voices to amplify their narratives.”

A new intelligence community assessment published this week on the ODNI website said Russia “remains the primary threat to our elections” and that unidentified “Russian influence actors” secretly plan to “sway public opinion” in swing states and “diminish U.S. support for Ukraine.”

Russia recently has been seeking to influence U.S. audiences through “encrypted direct messaging channels,” said the official. He did not elaborate.

China is assessed as currently not planning “to influence the outcome of the presidential race,” the official said.

The U.S. views China as its leading geostrategic rival. Beijing and Washington have been working to ease strains. The Chinese embassy did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Beijing is trying to expand its ability to collect and monitor data from social media platforms “probably to better understand and eventually manipulate public opinion,” the official said.

The official called generative artificial intelligence a “malign influence accelerant” being increasingly used to “more convincingly tailor” video and other content ahead of the November vote.

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Reporting by Jonathan Landay and Andrew Goudsward; Editing by Leslie Adler and David Gregorio

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Ukraine will stop Putin, Biden tells NATO in forceful speech

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WASHINGTON, July 9 (Reuters) – U.S. President Joe Biden pledged to forcefully defend Ukraine against Russia’s invasion at the NATO summit in Washington on Tuesday, using the global stage to try to show allies at home and abroad that he can still lead.

Biden, 81, has endured 12 days of withering questions about his fitness for office as some of his fellow Democrats on Capitol Hill and campaign donors fear that he will lose the Nov. 5 election after a halting debate performance on June 27.

“(Vladimir) Putin wants nothing less, nothing less, than Ukraine’s total subjugation … and to wipe Ukraine off the map,” Biden said in his welcome to NATO member states to the summit, referring to the Russian president. “Ukraine can and will stop Putin.”

The White House is hoping he can turn the page on a difficult period in his presidency with his highest profile policy speech since the debate, although some diplomats at the summit said the damage was hard to erase.

On Tuesday, Biden spoke off of a teleprompter with a strong and confident voice and largely avoided the verbal flubs and signs of confusion that marked his debate performance.

Biden was framed by the gilded walls of the federal hall where the treaty creating NATO was signed, his speech bookended by stirring musical performances by the U.S. Marine Corp band.

“Today NATO is stronger than it’s ever been in its history,” he said.

Biden has rebuffed calls to step aside in his race against Republican Donald Trump, 78, vowing to beat him in November. So far, he has maintained the public support of most of his party’s elite.

The U.S. president has made restoring traditional alliances abroad the centerpiece of his foreign policy after Trump challenged allies as part of an “America First” approach. The election winner in November could have a substantial impact on the future of NATO, Europe and the rest of the world.

“We don’t see how he can come back after the debate,” said one European diplomat, who dismissed Tuesday’s speech as evidence of Biden’s endurance because it was scripted. “I can’t imagine him being at helm of the U.S. and NATO for four more years.”

Trump has suggested that, given a second term, he would not defend NATO members if they came under military attack and did not meet the alliance’s defense spending target of 2% of their annual GDP. He has also questioned the amount of aid given to Ukraine in its battle against Russia’s invasion.

Biden closed his remarks by surprising NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, clasping the highest U.S. civilian award around the Norwegian politician’s neck and crediting him with reviving the 32-member alliance.

The centerpiece of the NATO summit is set to be new commitments of military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the summit would “further strengthen” the war-torn country’s path to NATO membership.

Biden and the leaders of Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Romania issued a joint statement with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy announcing the delivery of five additional Patriot and other strategic air defense systems to protect Ukrainian cities, civilians and soldiers.

Item 1 of 9 U.S. President Joe Biden delivers remarks at a NATO event to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the alliance, in Washington, U.S., July 9, 2024. REUTERS/Leah Millis

[1/9]U.S. President Joe Biden delivers remarks at a NATO event to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the alliance, in Washington, U.S., July 9, 2024. REUTERS/Leah Millis Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab

They said additional strategic air defense systems would be announced this year.

Zelenskiy, who arrived in Washington on Tuesday and is due to meet with Biden on Thursday, has said Ukraine needs a minimum of seven Patriot systems, a goal met by the fresh deliveries announced on Tuesday.

“We are fighting for additional security guarantees for Ukraine – and these are weapons and finances, political support,” he said on social media.

Ukraine ultimately wants to join NATO to ward against further future attacks by Russia but candidates have to be approved by all of the alliance’s members, some of which are wary of provoking a direct conflict with Russia.

Some members want the alliance to make clear Ukraine is moving toward NATO “irreversibly” and are keen for language in a summit statement beyond the alliance’s pledge last year that “Ukraine’s future is in NATO.”
NATO, celebrating its 75th anniversary, has found new purpose in opposing Putin’s Ukraine invasion and the grinding war will dominate private conversations between the leaders of the countries.
Those leaders, already anxious about the prospect of Trump’s return, came to Washington with fresh concern about Biden’s staying power, according to diplomats from their countries.

Biden will hold a rare solo press conference on Thursday, also aimed at quieting concerns.

As Biden tried to rally allies and domestic support, several high-ranking European officials met with a top foreign policy adviser to Trump during the summit.
NATO leaders face political uncertainty in Europe, with paralysis looming in France after gains for left and far right parties and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s coalition weakened after a poor showing in European Parliament elections.
A U.S. intelligence official said on Tuesday said that Russia prefers that Trump win the upcoming election.
New British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said as he headed to his first NATO summit that he would fulfill a campaign commitment to increase UK defense spending to 2.5% of GDP but underlined he would only do so when the country could afford it and after a review of defense strategy.
A senior NATO official said on Tuesday Russia lacks the munitions and troops to start a major offensive in Ukraine and needs to secure significant ammunition supplies from other countries beyond what it already has.

But he estimated Russia would be able to sustain its war economy for three to four more years and also said “it will be some time” before Ukraine has amassed the munitions and personnel it needs to mount its own large-scale offensive operations.

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Reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt, Patricia Zengerle, Steve Holland and Sabine Siebold; Additional reporting by Andrea Shalal, David Brunnstrom, Humeyra Pamuk, Jonathan Landay, Elizabeth Piper, John Irish, Jeff Mason, Daphne Psaledakis, and Doina Chiacu; Editing by Heather Timmons and Deepa Babington

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How US strike curbs for Ukraine morphed from caveats to ‘common sense’

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BRUSSELS — In late May, the Biden administration announced a major policy change: Washington would now let Ukrainian forces fire American-provided weapons into Russia — though only around one region in the northeast.

This had long been a bright red line in the administration’s support for Kyiv, fearing an expanded war.

It took only a few days for Ukraine to say it wasn’t enough.

“Is that sufficient? No,” said President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, speaking at a news conference in Singapore hours after meeting with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.

The comment was a microcosm of a much longer-term challenge for Washington. In an effort to avoid escalation, the administration has withheld certain weapons requested by Ukraine, only to later change course. The result is an ever-shifting policy that often leaves Kyiv dissatisfied — why accept one change to the rules when pushing for another could loosen them more?

The latest and perhaps most significant example of this situation has been cross-border strikes. The limited authority the White House gave Ukraine to fire into Russia is already expanding. And if this continues, analysts say, it may make a real impact in the fight.

“It could really change the war,” said George Barros, who leads the Russia and geospatial intelligence teams at the Institute for the Study of War, a public policy research outfit.

Two weeks after Zelenskyy’s comments, a senior U.S. official defense official said the policy may just be moving in that direction. On the sidelines of a June meeting at NATO headquarters in Brussels, the official listed examples of things Ukraine has wanted that America has changed its mind on: fighter jets, long-range missiles, shooting into Russia.

“If you look back over the course of a conflict, you can find a number of areas where we were reluctant to do something and then we did it,” the official said, speaking on the condition of anonymity, per Pentagon policy. “So never say never.”

The path to the late-May policy change began weeks before Zelenskyy’s comments in Singapore.

Earlier in May, Russia launched a new offensive near Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city. Unlike other major urban areas in the country, Kharkiv sits near the Russian border — about 20 miles away. Largely due to limitations on how Ukraine could use Western-provided weapons, Russia was able to fire from its side of the border without significant retaliation.

“You could just look at the maps … showing the Russians amassing just across the border and using that to strike into Ukraine,” the U.S. defense official said.

Ukraine asked for the ability to fire into Russia, which Washington granted after some European partners publicly supported the request. But it would be limited: Ukraine could fire U.S. weapons — like the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, with a range of nearly 50 miles — across the border to defend itself around Kharkiv. It still couldn’t fire long-range American weapons — such as the ATACMS missile with a reach of about 186 miles — at targets deeper into Russia.

Within weeks U.S. officials were crediting the change, in part, to a more stable front line. When Austin visited NATO headquarters in June, members of the U.S. delegation called the mood “upbeat.”

“What I see is a slowing of the Russian’s advance and a stabilizing of that particular piece of the front,” Austin said.

Some analysts were skeptical of that account.

Michael Kofman, who studies the Ukraine war at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace think tank, said that by the time America’s policy changed, Russia had already started to lose momentum.

“The Russian offensive had already culminated before the policy change went into effect,” he said.

That isn’t to say the approval to fire into Russia was useless. The point is to create dilemmas, according to Barros. Under the current policy Russian forces will have to spread farther apart, lest they become easy targets. That will make it harder to launch new offensives.

But that’s a limited benefit, Barros told Defense News.

“It’s not going to make a massive difference in the long run, as it stands,” he said.

Hence, a bevy of officials in the U.S. and abroad have pushed to end the remaining restrictions. Among this group is NATO’s secretary general.

Shortly before the June meeting in Brussels, Jens Stoltenberg stepped into the headquarters lobby to speak with reporters. On strikes into Russia, he made two points: Because the border and the front lines are so close near Kharkiv, Ukraine would struggle to defend itself if it couldn’t fire into Russia. And the burden shouldn’t be on Ukraine to avoid escalation.

“Ukraine has the right to strike military targets on Russian territory — part of the right to self-defense — and we have the right to support them in defending themselves,” he said.

Members of Congress, prominent Democrats among them, have urged the Biden administration to loosen restrictions for Ukraine. Many European partners have joined them.

“Russia is organizing the attacks from Russian territory, and we put restrictions on Ukraine,” Lithuanian Defence Minister Laurynas Kasčiūnas said in an interview with Defense News. “It’s nonsense.”

But based on several recent statements from American officials, it’s unclear what those restrictions are.

When asked to clarify America’s policy on strikes into Russia, the U.S. defense official speaking in Brussels paused and opened a binder of prepared notes. Reading them, the official listed several of the talking points the administration has used when discussing the policy: “limited,” “military targets,” “just across the border.”

“That’s not much more detail,” the official said, as reporters in the room laughed.

In a news conference later that day, Austin answered questions about the policy, framing it around Ukraine’s northeast. “The ability to conduct counterfire in this close fight in Kharkiv region is what this is all about,” he said.

But several days later in an interview with PBS, U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan said the permission to strike “extends to anywhere that Russian forces are coming across the border from the Russian side to the Ukrainian side to try to take additional territory.”

“This is not about geography,” Sullivan added. “It’s about common sense.”

From Ukraine’s perspective, the policy is “quite clear,” according to Dmytro Klimenkov, the deputy minister of defense for procurement. He declined to comment on whether the policy should be looser.

When it comes to long-range fires, specifically the ATACMS, the Biden administration has drawn a red line. But there are reasons for the limit.

The U.S. wants Ukraine to concentrate its responses to Russia’s invasion as much as possible — the difference between one uppercut and multiple jabs in a boxing match. Preventing Ukraine from firing even farther into Russia forces the embattled nation to focus on what U.S. officials call “the close fight” around Kharkiv and other parts of the front line.

There’s also the escalation factor: Russia is a nuclear-armed country and has threatened to use those weapons multiple times during the war, although that hasn’t happened. The Russian government can also harass the U.S. and other allies elsewhere: supporting militant groups targeting American forces or staging limited attacks in European cities.

Concern over a deeper or wider war has influenced the Biden administration’s policies since the full-scale invasion two years ago. But that concern has changed as the Pentagon gets a better sense for Russia’s actual willingness to escalate.

“The risk of escalation is not as high as maybe it was at the beginning of the process,” Gen. CQ Brown, the U.S. military’s top uniformed officer, said during a March roundtable with reporters. “You understand a bit more over time.”

And over time, with the threat of escalation unrealized, Ukraine has received more capable weapons and greater authority to use them.

It wasn’t until March when the Biden administration sent Ukraine the long-range ATACMS missiles. The country is already using them by, for example, hitting air defense batteries stationed in Crimea, a peninsula Russia seized in 2014.

Ukraine’s ability to hit Russian assets on Crimea has made Moscow restructure its forces there, shifting much of its naval fleet farther away. One could imagine a similar move elsewhere if the ban on long-range strikes into Russia were lifted, said Barros, the analyst at the Institute for the Study of War. For example, Russia would likely be forced to spread its air defense and electronic warfare assets farther apart.

It might also struggle to launch as many raids on Ukrainian cities, threatened by Russian bombers that sit on airfields that are out of reach under the current policy.

“Russia is permanently firing in calm, knowing that Ukraine will not fire back,” Zelenskyy said at the news conference in Singapore.

But Ukraine has fired back. Throughout this year, its military struck oil refineries across Russia in an attempt to damage one of the government’s core sources of revenue.

The strikes proved controversial in Washington.

During a hearing before the House Armed Services Committee in April, the assistant secretary for defense for international security affairs said the Pentagon doesn’t want Ukraine attacking civilian infrastructure.

“So far the strikes that we have seen against Russian energy sources have not significantly altered Russia’s ability to prosecute the war,” Celeste Wallander said.

But Ukraine wasn’t using American-provided weapons for those strikes, which meant they didn’t apply to existing restrictions.

“This is Ukraine’s sovereign decision,” Wallander noted.

A senior Ukrainian official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the topic, told Defense News his country has two sets of long-range weapons: drones that can fire up to 900 miles and missiles that can reach 430 miles. The limiting factor for these capabilities, the official said, is scale.

In other words, the official claimed, Ukraine knows how to build them and could increase production, but it lacks the funding to do so.

Klimenkov, the Ukrainian defense procurement official, was more cautious.

“We don’t have enough capacity” to build the required amount of long-range weapons alone, he said.

That means for now, Ukraine will need to keep using other countries’ weapons and conforming to their rules. But building its own long-range fires remains a top priority, he added.

“That is not easy,” he said. “It takes time.”

Noah Robertson is the Pentagon reporter at Defense News. He previously covered national security for the Christian Science Monitor. He holds a bachelor’s degree in English and government from the College of William & Mary in his hometown of Williamsburg, Virginia.

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US teams up with NATO to seize control of Kremlin-backed bot farm

Published: 13:12 BST, 10 July 2024 | Updated: 14:46 BST, 10 July 2024

The Justice Department is claiming a win after announcing the shutting down of a Kremlin-backed bot farm that was set up in order to spread discord across the US regarding Russia‘s foreign policy. 

According to a press release from the DOJ, the bot farm ran close 1,000 accounts on Elon Musk‘s X social media platform. 

The South African billionaire has made dozens of posts in recent days regarding election integrity but has not so far mentioned the presence of politically active bot accounts on X.  

‘Today’s actions represent a first in disrupting a Russian-sponsored Generative AI-enhanced social media bot farm,’ FBI Director Christopher Wray said in a statement. 

‘Russia intended to use this bot farm to disseminate AI-generated foreign disinformation, scaling their work with the assistance of AI to undermine our partners in Ukraine and influence geopolitical narratives favorable to the Russian government.’

The person behind the scheme is believed to be a Russian national who is registered a foreign agent with the State Department. He was formerly the editor-in-chief of the state-controlled Russia Today.  

Russian President Vladimir Putin has long maintained that his government does not meddle in other country’s affairs 

An example of a fake social media post that was created by the bot farm, according to the DOJ 

An example of a fake account that the Justice Department says was created to post pro-Russia content

‘Since at least 2022, RT leadership sought the development of alternative means for distributing information beyond RT’s standard television news broadcasts,’ the DOJ’s statement read. 

‘In response, Individual A led the development of software that was able to create and to operate a social media bot farm.’

Russia’s FSB security service agents also accessed the bot farm which saw accounts posing as Americans posting pro-Kremlin content. 

The advisory said that as of last June, the software – known as Meliorator – only worked on X but that its functionality probably could be expanded to other social media networks. 

A joint cybersecurity advisory from the countries involved in the operation, including Canada and Israel, is calling on the tech giants behind social media sites to do better in terms of security against nefarious foreign agents. 

‘We support all civic engagement, civil dialogue, and a robust exchange of ideas. But those ideas should be generated by Americans, for Americans. The disruption announced today protects us from those who use unlawful means to seek to mislead our citizens and our communities,’ prosecutor Gary Restaino said Tuesday. 

The disruption of the bot farm comes as U.S. officials have raised alarms about the potential for AI technology to impact this year’s elections and amid ongoing concerns that foreign influence campaigns by adversaries.

Another fake account in which the ‘user’ encouraged followers to ‘question everything’

Russia’s FSB security service agents also accessed the bot farm which saw accounts posing as Americans posting pro-Kremlin content

Officials said that the Russian operatives intended for the bot farm to spread beyond X and on to other platforms

 Officials are concerned that bot farms could sway opinions of unsuspecting voters, as happened during the 2016 presidential campaign when Russians launched a huge but hidden social media trolling campaign aimed in part at helping Republican Donald Trump defeat Democrat Hillary Clinton.

Among the fake posts, according to the Justice Department, was a video that was posted by a purported Minneapolis, Minnesota resident that showed Russian President Vladimir Putin saying that areas of Ukraine, Poland and Lithuania were ‘gifts’ to those countries from liberating Russian forces during World War II.

In another instance, the Justice Department said, someone posing as a U.S. constituent responded to a federal candidate’s social media posts about the war in Ukraine with a video of Putin justifying Russia’s actions.

At the same time the farm was taken down, security officials in the US said they had not seen Russia shift on its preference from previous presidential elections on who it prefers to win this year, a U.S. intelligence official said on Tuesday, indicating that Moscow again favors Trump.

The official, briefing reporters on U.S. election security, did not name the former president and presumptive Republican nominee when asked who Moscow wants as the next U.S. president. 

But he indicated that Russia favored Trump, saying the U.S. intelligence community had not changed its assessments from previous elections.

Those assessments had found that Moscow tried through influence campaigns to help Trump win in 2016, opens new tab against Hillary Clinton and in 2020 against President Joe Biden.

This week, security officials in the US said that the Kremlin still wants Donald Trump in the Oval Office 

‘We have not observed a shift in Russia’s preferences for the presidential race from past elections, given the role the U.S. is playing with regard to Ukraine and broader policy toward Russia,’ said the official from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI).

The Trump campaign responded to this allegation by saying Biden was weak on Russia, as evidenced by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

‘When President Trump was in the Oval Office, Russia and all of America’s adversaries were deterred, because they feared how the United States would respond,’ Karoline Leavitt, the Trump campaign’s press secretary, said in a statement. 

Trump frequently has criticized the scale of U.S. military support for Ukraine – some $60 billion since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022 – and called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy ‘the greatest salesman ever.’

Two of Trump’s national security advisers have presented him with a plan to end U.S. military aid to Ukraine unless it opened talks with Russia to end the conflict.

On policy toward NATO, Trump has said he would ‘encourage’ Russia to do ‘whatever the hell they want’ to any alliance member that did not spend enough on defense and he would not defend them. 

The NATO charter obliges members to come to the defense of members that are attacked.

The ODNI official conducted the briefing on condition of anonymity with ODNI colleagues and officials from the FBI and the National Coordinator for Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience, an agency that conducts cyber defense for the government and works with private industry.

Russian-run bot farms were behind Hillary Clinton’s defeat in the 2016 presidential election, experts believe 

He defined election influence as efforts to shape the outcome of polls or undermine democratic processes, while interference constitutes efforts to disrupt the ability of the U.S. to hold a free and fair vote.

The U.S. has not monitored plans by any country to “degrade or disrupt” the country’s ability to hold the November elections, he said.

But Russia, he continued, through social media and other means has begun trying to influence specific groups of U.S. voters in battleground states, “promote divisive narratives and denigrate specific politicians,” whom he did not identify.

“Russia is undertaking a whole of government approach to influence the election, including the presidential, Congress, and public opinion,” he said.

Moscow “determines which candidates they’re willing to support or oppose largely based on their stance toward further U.S. aid to Ukraine and related issues,” said the official. “It’s all the tactics we’ve seen before, primarily through social media efforts” and “using U.S. voices to amplify their narratives.”

A new intelligence community assessment published this week on the ODNI website said Russia “remains the primary threat to our elections” and that unidentified “Russian influence actors” secretly plan to “sway public opinion” in swing states and “diminish U.S. support for Ukraine.”

Russia recently has been seeking to influence U.S. audiences through “encrypted direct messaging channels,” said the official. He did not elaborate.

China is assessed as currently not planning “to influence the outcome of the presidential race,” the official said.

The U.S. views China as its leading geostrategic rival. Beijing and Washington have been working to ease strains. The Chinese embassy did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Beijing is trying to expand its ability to collect and monitor data from social media platforms “probably to better understand and eventually manipulate public opinion,” the official said.

The official called generative artificial intelligence a “malign influence accelerant” being increasingly used to “more convincingly tailor” video and other content ahead of the November vote.

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US doesn’t change policy on Ukrainian strikes inside Russia after attack on children’s hospital

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The U.S. will not permit Ukraine to strike deeper inside Russian territory following the deadly July 8 attack, National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said during a press briefing.

“There’s been no change in our policy. You saw the president several weeks ago gave guidance to Ukraine that they can use U.S.-supplied weapons to strike targets just over the border. That’s still the case,” Kirby told reporters on July 8.

U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan told PBS News in June that Ukraine was allowed to strike “anywhere that Russian forces are coming across the border from the Russian side to the Ukrainian side to try to take additional Ukrainian territory.”

The Russian military struck the Okhmatdyt hospital, Ukraine’s largest children’s medical center, with a Kh-101 cruise missile, according to the preliminary data obtained by the State Security Service (SBU). At least two people were killed and 50 injured, including seven children, according to local authorities.

Kirby added that it is part of the course for “Putin to hit civilian infrastructure” and he “doesn’t care if people are in hospitals or residential buildings.”

Across the country, over 170 people were injured, while at least 37 were confirmed killed due to the July 8 Russian attack, President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

As the NATO summit officially begins on July 9 at the Mellon Auditorium in Washington, Kirby said there will be “a very strong set of signals and messages to Mr. Putin that he cannot wait out NATO, he cannot wait out the United States. We are going to continue to support Ukraine.”

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My Opinion: Mr. Biden does not have to demonstrate that he has a 100% of mental or cognitive acuity; no one single person has it all of the time. However, his team and his aides as the “collective Presidency” have this acuity.

Biden delivers Memorial Day address at Arlington National CemeteryBiden delivers Memorial Day address at Arlington National Cemetery

My Opinion: Mr. Biden does not have to demonstrate that he has a 100% of mental or cognitive acuity; no one single person has it all of the time. However, his team and his aides as the “collective Presidency” have this acuity. They did an excellent job this first term, and there should not be any doubts that the same skills will be in the play the second term.  

Joe Biden one year: How is he doing so far?Joe Biden one year: How is he doing so far?

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Mr. Biden is the symbol and the banner for America and the World. His political instincts are always and 100% correct, they are the embodiment of the American spirit and the Idea, and that what counts. 

Furthermore, if the hostile attempt was made, possibly with the use of the Directed Energy Weapon during or prior to the Debates, to affect the state of his cognitive functioning and performance, as it reasonably suspected, these suspicions and concerns become the real front and center issue, which is the obvious and the very real threat to the American Democracy and to the democratic systems of governing worldwide.

Michael Novakhov | 7.10.24 

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Parkinson’s doctor suggests Biden has ‘classic features of neurodegeneration’ after revelation specialist visited White House 8 times

A New York-based neurologist who specializes in treating Parkinson’s disease suggested Monday that President Biden is exhibiting “classic features of neurodegeneration” as speculation swirls about his political future.

Dr. Tom Pitts made his assessment based on Biden’s public appearances, while the White House faced questions about why another Parkinson’s expert visited the executive mansion eight times in an eight-month stretch last year and early this year.

“I could have diagnosed him from across the mall,” Pitts told NBC News Now’s “Top Story with Tom Llamas.”

President Biden got a fairly clean bill of health from his doctor, but critics are calling for more information. Getty Images

“I’m a Democrat, it’s just like — this guy is not a hard case,” he added.

“I see him 20 times a day in clinic.”

“He has the classic features of neurodegeneration, word-finding difficulties, and that’s not, ‘Oh, I couldn’t find the word,’ that’s from degeneration of the word retrieval area,” Pitts explained, referring to Biden.

The doctor also noted the president’s “shuffling gait … so little steps. Loss of arm swing from the rigidity…and end-block turning, meaning he kind of pivots around his foot.”

Pitts caveated that he has never been in the “same room” with the president, who has insisted he will carry on with his re-election campaign, and could not judge whether Biden’s cognitive abilities had diminished.

Over the weekend, The Post scooped that Biden physician Dr. Kevin O’Connor met with Dr. Kevin Cannard, the White House medical unit’s neurology consultant, back in January.

A subsequent check of visitor logs revealed Cannard had visited the executive mansion eight times between July of last year and March of this year.

Dr. Tom Pitts caveated that he hasn’t diagnosed President Biden in person. NBC News

Late Monday, O’Connor acknowledged that Cannard had examined Biden as part of his annual physicals, but claimed the doctor had not seen the president outside of those occasions.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre claimed Tuesday that the January meeting involving Cannard and O’Connor “was not” about Biden’s health.

Pitts called on both Biden, 81, and former President Donald Trump, 78, to take a four-hour neurological test, which he called the “hallmark test for cognitive performance.”

President Biden insists that he is mentally fit for the job. AP

Despite his party preference, Pitts conceded that he was frustrated with the situation, likening the Biden administration to regimes of North Korea and Russia in terms of denying obviously realities.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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Biden promises new air defenses for Ukraine in forceful Nato speech

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Joe Biden has announced that Nato countries will provide Ukraine with five new strategic air defense systems as leaders began a summit in Washington where the alliance was expected to declare Ukraine’s path toward Nato to be “irreversible”.

The promise of weapons deliveries, including anti-air defenses sought after by Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy, came just a day after a deadly missile strike against a paediatric cancer hospital and other civilian targets in Ukraine that Biden called a “horrific reminder of Russia’s brutality”.

“All told, Ukraine will receive hundreds of additional interceptors over the next year, helping protect Ukrainian cities against Russian missiles and Ukrainian troops facing their attacks on the frontlines,” said Biden.

The headline speech was a critical step to convincing foreign leaders that Biden, 81, remains up to the task of leading the 32-member military alliance. It was also a key test in saving his presidential campaign following a disastrous debate against Donald Trump that led many in his own party to question his mental acuity.

In forceful tones, Biden said: “Before this war, Putin thought Nato would break. Today, Nato is stronger than it’s ever been in its history. When this senseless war began, Ukraine was a free country. Today it’s still a free country and the war will end with Ukraine remaining a free and independent country.”

“Russia will not prevail,” he said to rising applause. “Ukraine will prevail.”

In a speech later in the night, Zelenskiy urged US political leaders not to wait for the outcome of November’s presidential election to move forcefully to aid his country.

“Everyone is waiting for November. Americans are waiting for November, in Europe, Middle East, in the Pacific, the whole world is looking towards November and, truly speaking, Putin awaits November too.

“It is time to step out of the shadows, to make strong decisions … to act and not to wait for November or any other month,” Zelenskiy said.

It was announced on Tuesday that the US and its European allies would act to bolster Ukraine’s air defences at a time when the country is under constant heavy bombardment from Russia.

The US, Germany and Romania would send additional batteries of the Patriot air defence system while Patriot components donated by the Netherlands would enable another battery to operate, according to a statement by the leaders of the US, the Netherlands, Germany, Italy and Romania.

The Italian prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, approved the donation of a Italian-French-made equivalent of the Patriot interceptor, the SAMP/T air defence system.

“These five strategic air defence systems will help to protect Ukrainian cities, civilians, and soldiers, and we are coordinating closely with the Ukrainian government so that these systems can be utilised rapidly,” the statement said. “We are working on a further announcement this year of additional strategic air defence systems for Ukraine.”

As well the medium range Patriot and SAMP/T systems, the US and its allies said they would provide Ukraine with dozens of shorter-range tactical systems, including the US-Norwegian made NASAMS, US-made Hawks, Iris systems made by a European consortium and German Gepard missiles.

Britain’s new prime minister, Keir Starmer, and Zelenskiy, were among those arriving at the US capital amid a warning that Russia could step up missile strikes on Ukraine this week, repeating a barrage that killed at least 38 on Monday.

Diplomats said that a final communique would probably declare Ukraine’s path to Nato to be “irreversible” and to move control of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, the main conduit for delivering military aid and training to Ukraine, under Nato control.

Those steps are widely seen as an attempt to “Trump-proof” Nato policies from the potential for a new Republican administration to cut aid to Ukraine, or possibly to make it contingent on holding direct negotiations with Russia.

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Despite the communique, there will be no meaningful progress on Ukraine joining Nato in Washington, although alliance members will seek to dress up the latest package of support as part of what is described as “a bridge to membership”.

Holdouts including the US, Hungary, Germany and Italy are concerned that allowing Ukraine to join Nato while the war with Russia continues would be considered an escalation that could bring the alliance into direct conflict with Moscow. Even a more limited form of what could be considered direct military intervention in support of Kyiv attracts similar concerns.

On Tuesday, Zelenskiy said he hoped Trump would not quit Nato and would keep supporting Ukraine, if he won in November, but he could not predict the former president’s actions.

“I can’t tell you what he will do, if he will be the president of the United States. I don’t know,” he said.

Jens Stoltenberg, Nato’s outgoing secretary general, speaking immediately before Biden, sought to justify continued US and western support for Ukraine by arguing that “the biggest cost and the greatest risk will be if Russia wins in Ukraine”. Authoritarian leaders in China, North Korea and Iran would all feel emboldened if Russia conquered its neighbour, he added, describing the war as a struggle over values.

“They all support Russia’s brutal war. They all want Nato to fail. So the outcome of this war will shape global security for decades to come. The time to stand for freedom and democracy is now the place is Ukraine,” the Nato chief added. Biden subsequently awarded Stoltenberg, the presidential medal of freedom, the highest civilian honour in the US.

In remarks to the Guardian, Ruslan Stefanchuk, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, said that the strike on the Okhmatdyt children’s hospital should be a “turning point” in the war and lead to great supplies of anti-air weapons to Ukraine.

“I believe that what happened today must be a turning point to change everyone’s attitude to what is happening in Ukraine, and I believe that without the F-16 fighter jets, without the new air defence systems, without the ammunition for those systems, we won’t be able to cover the skies to defend Ukraine,” he said.

Elsewhere at the summit, several high-ranking European officials have met with a top foreign policy adviser to Donald Trump.

Keith Kellogg, a retired lieutenant general who served as the chief of staff to Trump’s national security council, told Reuters he had met several European officials in recent days, including foreign ministers, but did not disclose their identities.

Kellogg, who is in regular contact with Trump, has emphasised that he does not speak for the former president nor his campaign.

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How To Detect Directed Energy Weapons: A Comprehensive Guide

Navigating the complex world of Directed Energy Weapons (DEWs) might seem like a daunting task. Yet, as an expert researcher in military technology who has extensively studied these high-tech systems, I am equipped to be your guide.

This article will offer you comprehensive insights into the detection methods for DEWs and their importance in modern warfare. Are you ready to demystify DEWs?

sonic directed energy weapon LRAD

Directed Energy Weapons (DEWs) utilize electromagnetic radiation to inflict damage or destruction on targets.

Directed Energy Weapons, also known as DEWs, operate on the principle of harnessing and directing electromagnetic radiation to harm or incapacitate targets. The beauty of these weapons lies in their precision – they hone onto a specific target without the collateral damage often associated with conventional weaponry.

They come in different types – microwave weapons that emit high-frequency electromagnetic radiation causing burns and internal organ damage; laser weapons emitting concentrated beams of light that can cause blindness and severe burns; particle beam weapons accelerating subatomic particles towards targets for similar effects.

So, while their functionality may sound straight out from a spy movie, the reality is far more potent – they’re real, they’re deadly, and knowing how to detect them could potentially save lives.

In our exploration of directed energy weapons (DEWs), we come across a spectrum of advanced weapon systems. These systems function by producing a concentrated beam of energy to disable or destroy a target. Below are some noticeable types:

  1. Microwave Weapons: As one of the common types, microwave weapons release high-frequency electromagnetic radiation. The U.S. Navy uses High Power Microwaves (HPM) as part of their DEWs arsenal.
  2. Laser Weapons: A shining example in this category is the High Energy Lasers (HEL). They emit photons, creating a concentrated beam of light that has proven effective in both power projection and integrated defense missions. Notably, the Maritime Laser Demonstrator (MLD) was initially operated at sea, followed by the Laser Weapons System (LaWS) onboard USS Ponce – marking it as the first military HEL.
  3. Particle Beam Weapons: Remarkably innovative particle-beam weapons fire streams of subatomic particles to incapacitate targets. This type is still under substantial research and holds promise for future warfare technologies.
  4. Plasma Weapons: Considered science fiction not too long ago, plasma weapons use a highly energized state of matter – plasma – usually delivered as compact pulses against targets.
  5. Sonic Weapons: Deployed for both military and law enforcement agencies’ purposes, sonic weapons use sound waves at extreme volumes or frequencies, causing discomfort or actual physical harm to individuals exposed to them.

Microwave Directed Energy Weapons (DEWs) have carved a niche for themselves in the realm of modern warfare. These devices shockingly harness the power of high-frequency electromagnetic radiation to inflict harm.

And it’s not just minor scrapes and bruises we’re talking about here, but serious internal organ damage and severe burns that can incapacitate instantly. Military and law enforcement agencies around the globe realize the potency of these tools, as well as their cost-effectiveness and accuracy, making them an increasingly common weapon choice on today’s battlefield.

But beware – criminals and terrorists aren’t far behind in exploiting this dangerous technology for nefarious purposes too. That’s why detection is critical! With specialized equipment tuned to pick up radio waves or infrared detectors designed to sense heat energy emitted by DEWs – including microwaves – keeping ahead in this dangerous game becomes achievable.

Laser weapons are a type of directed energy weapon (DEW) that use concentrated beams of light to deliver a powerful punch. These beams can cause severe burns and even blindness. As an aerospace engineer, I’ve seen firsthand the incredible range and accuracy of laser weapons.

They emit photons, which are particles of electromagnetic energy, in a tightly focused beam. When this beam hits its target, it releases an intense amount of heat energy, causing damage with pinpoint precision.

The U.S. military has been at the forefront of developing laser technology for both offense and defense purposes. From anti-drone rifles to counter-electronics projects, lasers have proven their operational advantages on the battlefield.

Particle-beam

As a man interested in understanding directed energy weapons, it’s important to know about particle-beam weapons. These weapons are considered one of the types of directed energy weapons alongside microwave and laser weapons.

What sets particle-beam weapons apart is their ability to accelerate subatomic particles and direct them toward targets, resulting in severe burns and internal organ damage. With these devastating effects, detecting the use of particle-beam weapons becomes crucial for personal safety and national security.

By being aware of the distinctive signs and employing specialized tools like radio detection or infrared detectors, we can enhance our defenses against these advanced technologies.

Plasma, one of the types of directed energy weapons (DEWs), is an incredibly powerful form of matter that can be used as a destructive force. Plasma weapons are designed to generate and control high-temperature plasma, a state of matter in which electrons and ions are no longer bound together.

This allows them to unleash devastating amounts of heat and energy on their targets.

When it comes to detecting plasma-based DEWs, special equipment is required due to the unique characteristics they possess. Plasma emits electromagnetic radiation that can be detected using radio detection techniques.

In addition, the extreme temperatures generated by plasma weapons create distinct heat signatures that can be identified using thermal cameras.

Sonic-directed energy weapons are a fascinating and powerful type of DEW. They utilize sound waves to target and disrupt their intended victims. These weapons emit intense, high-frequency sounds that can cause significant physical harm and even psychological effects.

Sonic weapons have been used by law enforcement agencies for crowd control purposes, as well as by the military for various applications. When exposed to these acoustic beams, individuals may experience symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, disorientation, and even hearing loss.

It is crucial for security personnel to be able to detect sonic DEWs in order to protect both themselves and the public from potential harm. So stay vigilant and informed regarding these advanced weaponry capabilities!

MK 15 Phalanx Close In Weapons System

To detect directed energy weapons, you can employ various techniques and tools such as radio detection, infrared detection, visual detection, and acoustic detection. By understanding the signs of directed energy weapon use and utilizing specialized equipment like EMF meters, thermal cameras, Faraday cages, UV lights, and metal detectors, you can effectively detect these weapons in order to ensure personal safety or protect national security.

As a man interested in detecting directed energy weapons (DEWs), I understand the importance of staying informed and prepared. Here are some techniques and tools that can help you detect DEWs:

  1. Radio Detection: DEWs emit electromagnetic waves that can be detected using radio receivers or EMF meters. These devices can pick up unusual frequency patterns or spikes in the surrounding area, indicating the presence of a DEW.
  2. Infrared Detection: DEWs produce heat signatures, which can be detected using thermal cameras. By scanning the area with a thermal camera, you can identify any hotspots or abnormal heat sources that may indicate the use of a DEW.
  3. Visual Detection: Keep an eye out for any unusual energy sources or beams of light. Laser-based DEWs, for example, produce concentrated beams of light that are visible to the naked eye. Look for any unexplained laser-like lights or flashes in your surroundings.
  4. Acoustic Detection: Some DEWs, such as sonic weapons, produce audible sound waves that can be detected using specialized acoustic sensors or microphones. These devices can pick up high-frequency sounds or vibrations associated with DEW activity.
  5. Protective Measures: To protect yourself from potential harm caused by DEWs, consider investing in special materials such as Faraday cages or fabrics that block electromagnetic radiation. These materials create a shield against electromagnetic waves and can minimize exposure to harmful effects.

As a man, it’s important to be aware of the signs that may indicate the use of directed energy weapons (DEWs). These advanced weapons can cause severe harm and have become increasingly prevalent in modern warfare. Here are some signs to look out for:

  1. Unexplained Burns: If you or others around you start experiencing sudden and unexplained burns on your skin or clothing, it could be a sign of DEW use. These weapons emit electromagnetic radiation that can cause severe burns.
  2. Nausea and Dizziness: Feeling nauseous or dizzy without any apparent reason could be a symptom of exposure to DEWs. The electromagnetic waves emitted by these weapons can affect the central nervous system, leading to such symptoms.
  3. Sight and Hearing Problems: Blurred vision, temporary blindness, or hearing difficulties might indicate the presence of DEWs nearby. Laser weapons and sonic devices can target the sensory organs, causing temporary impairments.
  4. Rapid Heating Sensations: If you suddenly feel intense heat concentrated on specific areas of your body without any external source, it could be a result of DEW exposure. Microwave weapons emit high-frequency electromagnetic radiation that can rapidly heat up objects.
  5. Electronics Malfunctioning: DEWs emit strong electromagnetic waves that can interfere with electronic devices. If your electronic equipment starts malfunctioning unexpectedly or displays unusual behavior, it might be due to nearby DEW usage.
  6. Distortion of Surroundings: Look out for any distortion in the air or shimmering effects around objects when there is no obvious source for such phenomena. Particle-beam weapons create plasma trails which can cause visible distortions in the surrounding environment.
  7. Unusual Energy Sources: Keep an eye out for strange energy sources appearing near sensitive locations or events. DEWs require power sources to operate efficiently, so spotting unusual energy signatures could suggest their presence.

A Pischal Pro anti drone rifle

Detecting directed energy weapons is crucial for personal safety and has significant national security implications. By understanding how to detect these weapons, individuals can take effective measures to protect themselves and their surroundings from potential threats.

Discover the importance of detecting directed energy weapons and learn about the role they play in modern warfare, including incidents like Havana Syndrome. Stay informed and stay vigilant against this emerging technology.

As men, ensuring our personal safety is of utmost importance in today’s world. With the increasing use of Directed Energy Weapons (DEWs), it’s crucial to be aware and knowledgeable about their detection.

DEWs utilize electromagnetic radiation to cause harm or destruction, posing serious threats to individuals. Microwave weapons emit high-frequency electromagnetic radiation that can lead to severe burns and internal organ damage.

Laser weapons employ concentrated beams of light that can potentially cause blindness and severe burns. Particle beam weapons accelerate subatomic particles toward targets, resulting in similar devastating effects.

As someone deeply invested in national security, understanding the implications of directed energy weapons (DEWs) is crucial. DEWs have revolutionized modern warfare and pose significant threats to the safety of nations worldwide.

These weapons are not limited to military use; terrorists and criminals also exploit their destructive power. With their low cost and high accuracy, DEWs have become a preferred choice for both offensive and defensive operations.

By knowing how to detect DEWs, we can augment our defenses against these unseen but dangerous threats. This knowledge empowers us to enhance our security measures, safeguarding our nation from potential attacks by ensuring quick response times and effective countermeasures based on early detection.

From historical conflicts to the present day, directed energy weapons have revolutionized modern warfare. Discover how these advanced technologies are reshaping military strategies and impacting global security.

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Throughout the 20th century and into the present day, directed energy weapons (DEWs) have played a significant role in warfare. These advanced weapons systems have been utilized by military forces around the world for a wide range of purposes.

From tactical operations to strategic engagements, DEWs have proven their effectiveness on the battlefield.

One noteworthy example of DEW use is the development of microwave weapons. In recent years, these weapons have gained attention for their ability to emit high-frequency electromagnetic radiation, which can cause severe burns and internal organ damage.

Additionally, laser weapons have become increasingly prevalent in modern warfare. By utilizing concentrated beams of light, they are capable of targeting and destroying enemy assets with remarkable accuracy.

Another type of DEW that has seen significant use is particle beam weapons. These powerful devices accelerate subatomic particles and direct them toward targets, resulting in devastating effects such as severe burns and internal organ damage.

As technology continues to advance at an unprecedented pace, it is crucial for military personnel and law enforcement agencies to remain vigilant in their efforts to detect these highly sophisticated weaponry systems.

With specialized equipment and techniques designed specifically for detecting DEWs – such as radio detection, infrared detection, visual detection, and acoustic detection – professionals can effectively identify potential threats before they escalate.

I recently came across an intriguing phenomenon called Havana Syndrome that has been affecting diplomats and spies from the United States and Canada. The cause of this mysterious ailment is still unknown, but experts believe that it may be linked to electromagnetic beams.

A study conducted by the U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine suggested that the victims likely experienced physical phenomena caused by electromagnetic radiation.

This brings us to the topic of directed energy weapons (DEWs), which use highly focused energy to damage or destroy targets without using solid projectiles. DEWs can pass through the skin and transfer energy to the water just beneath its surface, causing various effects on the human body.

As a result of the increasing threat of piracy, directed energy weapons (DEWs) have become an essential tool in anti-piracy measures. These advanced weapons allow law enforcement and security personnel to quickly and effectively neutralize pirate threats without causing significant harm or casualties.

DEWs such as the Vigilant Eagle system, Bofors HPM Blackout, and EL/M-2080 Green Pine radar are used to detect and deter pirates by disabling their vessels or disrupting their communication systems.

With their operational advantages, DEWs provide a non-lethal solution that helps protect maritime interests and ensure the safety of crew members aboard targeted ships.

As we delve into the world of detecting directed energy weapons (DEWs), it’s important to understand both the advantages and challenges that come with this task. One major advantage is the opportunity for increased security and quick response.

By being able to detect DEWs, law enforcement agencies, and military personnel can better protect themselves and others from potential threats.

Another advantage lies in the effective defenses that can be put in place once a DEW is detected. With specialized equipment such as EMF meters, thermal cameras, UV lights, and metal detectors, detection becomes more efficient.

Additionally, having government technology and expertise on hand helps to develop advanced detection techniques.

However, there are also various challenges involved in DEW detection. For one, these weapons often leave little residue or evidence behind, making them difficult to trace back to their source.

Moreover, some DEWs emit low levels of energy or may have unusual energy sources that evade traditional detection methods.

Furthermore, health issues related to exposure to electromagnetic beams pose a challenge in detecting DEWs effectively without causing harm. The symptoms of Havana syndrome experienced by U.S. embassy personnel in Cuba highlight the importance of understanding how different radio frequencies affect our central nervous system.

Despite these challenges, advancements are continuously being made in technologies for identifying electromagnetic waves emitted by DEWs. As we strive towards staying one step ahead of malicious intent surrounding directed energy weapons usage – whether it be governmental or criminal – recognizing both advantages and challenges will assist us in maintaining safety and security against this rising threat.

Common signs of DEW usage include sudden and unexplained burns, skin or eye irritations, electronic device malfunctions, unexplained fires or explosions, and unusual patterns of damage to structures or vehicles.

Personal devices such as smartphones or consumer-grade detectors are not typically capable of detecting the presence of directed energy weapons. Specialized equipment and expertise are required for accurate detection.

There are various countermeasures that can be employed to enhance protection against directed energy weapon attacks. These may include shielding materials, reflective surfaces, specialized clothing, or equipment designed to absorb or disperse the energy emitted by these weapons.

If you suspect the use of a directed energy weapon, it is important to report it to your local law enforcement agency immediately. They have the necessary resources to investigate and take appropriate action in response to potential threats.

In conclusion, being able to detect directed energy weapons is crucial for personal safety and national security. With the increased availability of these weapons to not only military and law enforcement agencies but also to criminals and terrorists, knowing how to identify signs of their use is essential.

By utilizing specialized techniques and tools such as UV lights, thermal cameras, and EMF meters, we can increase our vigilance and quickly respond to any threats posed by these high-tech weapons.

Stay alert, stay informed, and stay safe from the potential dangers of directed energy weapons.