Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Russia's American PR blitz - Rachel Marsden

Russia's American PR blitz - Rachel Marsden

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Russian President Vladimir Putin cares a lot about what you think -- about NSA contractor-turned-defector and Russian asylum seeker Edward Snowden, and pretty much everything else -- to the point of spending $300 million of state funds last year on the external audiovisual service RT, designed primarily to spoonfeed the Kremlin worldview to a global audience. And unearthed records show that's just the tip of a much more insidious iceberg.
Why, you might ask, would an iron-fisted authoritarian care about what the masses outside of his own country think? Well, if Russia can convince you, as a Westerner, to focus on critiquing your own government, you'll be less inclined to criticize the geopolitical competition. The greatest strengths of a democracy -- free speech and opposition to power -- are also weaknesses ripe for subversion and exploitation by a competitor who seeks to divide and conquer as a means of gaining a competitive advantage. And yet attempts at free speech and opposition to power in Russia put citizens at risk of being either imprisoned or liquidated.
And the double standards don't end there. Putin is cracking down on non-governmental organizations, raiding the offices of those who receive foreign funding, treating them as if their sole purpose is to act as a subversive foreign agent to undermine his authority. Meanwhile, he's infiltrating American media and political institutions.
Putin uses his propaganda apparatus to endlessly chastise Western nations for meddling in Syria, Cyprus and other nations over which Russia formerly enjoyed unfettered influence. The narrative is always the same: The United States and its allies won't keep their hands to themselves, while Russia minds its own business.
Except that it doesn't.
There are three types of intelligence operations: overt, covert and clandestine. "Overt" is blowing up a bridge outright. "Covert" is blowing up a bridge and obfuscating responsibility. "Clandestine" is when the bridge conveniently falls down in what appears to be an accident. Former KGB chief Putin tends to favor the latter two.
Here's a Russian operation that falls into the "covert" category:
Records show that from 2008 to 2010, Putin spent considerable cash -- approximately $6.8 million in fees to two American firms alone -- in an attempt to infiltrate America's media and political agenda. That doesn't include the various state-controlled Russian multinationals or entities who have also done the Kremlin's bidding. The Sunlight Foundation's Foreign Lobbying Influence Tracker shows that the Kremlin has gone to great lengths in hiring three American lobbying and public relations firms in an attempt to pitch favorable op-eds to American media outlets such as <a href="http://CNBC.com" rel="nofollow">CNBC.com</a>, Politico, the Huffington Post, the Wall Street Journal and the Washington Post. Records show that in one instance, a lobbyist was tasked with calling a reporter "regarding the registrant's representation of Russia." Records also show that one of the firms corresponded extensively with former CNN host Larry King on behalf of the Kremlin in an effort to arrange a sit-down interview with Putin.
In some instances, according to lobbyist records, producers of CNN's "Future Cities" program have had "multiple correspondences" with the public relations firm being paid princely sums to spin their client country's reputation.
The Kremlin has a communications director for such things, Dmitry Peskov. And Larry King now hosts a television show on the Kremlin's RT.
As much as Putin claims to hate foreign NGOs, he seems to be all over groups in Washington, with Russian front-firm representatives interacting with the Brookings Institution, the RAND Corporation, the German Marshall Fund, the Center for European Policy Analysis and the Heritage Foundation, and attending Cato Institute events.
The PR and lobbying firms were also hired to front for the Kremlin's interests in monitoring and interacting with the political apparatus in Washington, D.C. Records show that they were keeping close tabs on former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, including monitoring her testimony before the House Appropriations Foreign Operations Committee. Members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee were also targeted and solicited regarding the Russian-Georgian conflict.
There's nothing wrong with a little diplomacy, of course -- except that Russia already has ambassadors and entire embassies full of diplomats for that. It wouldn't be unreasonable to conclude that an American firm fronting for the Russians would have an easier time dealing directly with fellow countrymen within the Washington Beltway crowd, as opposed to someone from a foreign country who lacks connections and whose agenda is much more obvious.
But if the Kremlin is going to play that game, it should stop crying "American foreign influence!" when it has front groups inside America doing its bidding.
This is yet another reminder to the American public of the unfortunate need to assess everything they see or hear through a critical lens.
Read the whole story
 
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Tells the Facts, Names the Names

Monday, July 22, 2013

News Review: Four Dutch Nationals Arrested in Russia on Gay Propaganda Charges | Russia's Anti-Gay Crackdown - New York Times | Snowden “on a Leash”: The High-Stakes Game in Russia - Heritage.org (blog)

» Four Dutch Nationals Arrested in Russia on Gay Propaganda Charges
22/07/13 16:39 from The InterpreterThe Interpreter
Four Dutch nationals have been arrested in Russia on charges of spreading ‘homosexual propaganda’, Nos television reported on Monday. Four Dutch nationals have been arrested in Russia on charges of spreading ‘homosexual propaganda’, Nos tel... 

4 Dutch Citizens Suspected of Gay Propaganda Crime in Russia

RIA Novosti
Four Dutch citizens detained by police during a gay rights seminar outside the northern Russian city of Murmansk appeared in a local court Monday for allegedly promoting homosexual relationships among minors, human rights activists and local media reports said.
Investigators and migration officials reportedly detained the four, who were making a film about gay rights in Russia, on Sunday afternoon at a campsite during an event for young rights activists. The four were then questioned for about eight hours, said Tatyana Kulbakina, a representative of human rights monitoring organization OGON.
Those detained included Kris van der Veen, a gay rights activist and a Dutch city councilman.
"Instead of sitting on the plane, we're still in Murmansk," Van der Veen wrote on Facebook on Monday afternoon. "It's about the documentary, homosexual propaganda. It's going alright, but it's not clear what to do next. There has been lots of support and help from activists and the consulate."
There was no official statement from police or investigators about the case.
The detentions are one of the first instances of the enforcement of controversial Russian legislation banning the promotion of "non-traditional relationships" toward minors. Individuals in violation of the law, which was signed by President Vladimir Putin earlier this month, can be fined up to 100,000 rubles ($3,000).
After several delays to the start of court proceedings, the hearings for the four Dutch citizens were canceled Monday, and the judge returned the case materials for further investigation, according to Kulbakina, who was present at court. "It looks like it won't go to court," she said.
The four Dutch citizens are free to leave the country, Kulbakina added, but the material they recorded in Russia for their film was confiscated by police, and they may try to get it back.
"Leaving by car after a bizarre day in court. I believe there is no case," Van der Veer tweeted late Monday.
The reason for the police raid on the event outside Murmansk on Sunday was not immediately clear, but the Russian LGBT Network, an NGO monitoring gay rights, and media reports suggested that the Dutch filmmakers had interviewed a minor about gay issues.
The four Dutch citizens were also each fined 3,000 rubles ($100) by migration officials for violating the terms of their visas, Kulbakina said.


Read more: http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/4-dutch-citizens-suspected-of-gay-propaganda-crime-in-russia/483479.html#ixzz2Zus9Smha
The Moscow Times 


» Russia's Anti-Gay Crackdown - New York Times
22/07/13 20:02 from Russia - Google News
Press TVRussia's Anti-Gay CrackdownNew York TimesA few days earlier, just six months before Russia hosts the 2014 Winter Games, Mr. Putin signed a law allowing police officers to arrest tourists and foreign nationals they suspect of bei...



» Russia's Anti-Gay Crackdown - New York Times
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Gay Star NewsRussia's Anti-Gay CrackdownNew York TimesA few days earlier, just six months before Russia hosts the 2014 Winter Games, Mr. Putin signed a law allowing police officers to arrest tourists and foreign nationals they suspect o...

» Op-Ed Contributor: Russia’s Anti-Gay Crackdown
22/07/13 01:03 from NYT > Europe
Russian President Vladimir V. Putin has declared war on homosexuals.  

» Same-Sex Marriage Apocalyptic, Patriarch Says
22/07/13 07:31 from The Moscow Times Top Stories
The head of the Russian Orthodox Church has condemned the legalization of same-sex marriages as a sign of "the coming of the apocalypse."


» “The Apocalypse Cannot Happen on a Local Level, but the Patriarch Knows Better”
22/07/13 16:16 from The InterpreterThe Interpreter
The head of the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) associated legalization of same-sex marriage to the coming apocalypse. According to the Western media, such statements aim to divert people’s attention from the problems Russia faces. Those who ...


» Russian Patriarch Says Gay Marriage 'Sign Of Apocalypse'
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Patriarch Kirill told a congregation at Kazan Cathedral in Moscow's Red Square on July 21 that such recognition "means people are choosing a path of self-destruction."


» Sister Cities Ramp Up Russia Boycott Over Antigay Law - RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty
21/07/13 17:36 from Russia - Google News
RadioFreeEurope/RadioLibertySister Cities Ramp Up Russia Boycott Over Antigay LawRadioFreeEurope/RadioLibertyThe Russian law, signed by President Vladimir Putin in June, introduces fines of up to 1 million rubles (about $30,000) for the dis...


» Leaker Snowden Hopes to Leave Airport by Wednesday, Lawyer Says
22/07/13 16:23 from The Moscow Times Top Stories
Former U.S. spy agency contractor Edward Snowden hopes to be granted papers by Wednesday allowing him to end his month-long stay in the transit area of a Moscow airport and move to the city center, his Russian lawyer said Monday.


» Snowden “on a Leash”: The High-Stakes Game in Russia - Heritage.org (blog)
22/07/13 14:59 from Russia - Google News
Heritage.org (blog)Snowden “on a Leash”: The High-Stakes Game in RussiaHeritage.org (blog)President Obama is considering cancellation of his summit with Russian president Vladimir Putin at the September G-20 confab over Russia's harbori...


» U.S. Increases Pressure Over Snowden
21/07/13 20:00 from The Moscow Times Top Stories
Placing new pressure on the Kremlin in the case of National Security Agency leaker Edward Snowden, the White House said it was considering canceling a summit between Presidents Barack Obama and Vladimir Putin in Moscow.


» Lawyer Says Snowden Will Keep Pledge
21/07/13 20:00 from The Moscow Times Top Stories
A Russian lawyer advising Edward Snowden said the National Security Agency leaker had agreed to fulfill his pledge not to hurt U.S. interests if he was granted asylum in Russia.


» U.S. Increases Pressure Over Snowden
21/07/13 12:51 from The Moscow Times Top Stories
Placing new pressure on the Kremlin in the case of National Security Agency leaker Edward Snowden, the White House said it was considering canceling a summit between Presidents Barack Obama and Vladimir Putin in Moscow, and two U.S. senator...


» Medvedev Extends List of State Officials to Disclose Income, Spending
22/07/13 14:09 from The InterpreterThe Interpreter
Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev signed on Monday a resolution obliging officials of nearly 30 state companies to report their incomes and expenditures, in an apparent bid to crack down on corruption. Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev signed on ...


» Russia Helicopter Crash Probe: Britons Killed - Sky News
22/07/13 07:06 from Russia - Google News
Russia Helicopter Crash Probe: Britons KilledSky NewsRussia's Emergency Situations Ministry said the Eurocopter helicopter banked to one side and crashed while attempting to take off in the Lovozersky district of Murmansk. crash NTV Rus...


» Russia Helicopter Crash: Dead Britons Named - Sky News
22/07/13 05:04 from Russia - Google News
The IndependentRussia Helicopter Crash: Dead Britons NamedSky NewsTwo Britons killed in a helicopter crash in Russia have been named by the Foreign Office. It issued a statement on behalf of the families of Mark Robertson and Rupert Beaumon...


» Russia Helicopter Crash Probe: Britons Killed - Sky News
22/07/13 04:09 from Russia - Google News
The GuardianRussia Helicopter Crash Probe: Britons KilledSky NewsRussia's Emergency Situations Ministry said the Eurocopter helicopter banked to one side and crashed while attempting to take off in the Lovozersky district of Murmansk. c...



» Fishing trip Britons killed in Russia helicopter crash - BBC News
22/07/13 00:40 from Russia - Google News
The GuardianFishing trip Britons killed in Russia helicopter crashBBC NewsTwo British men in their 60s have died in a helicopter crash while on a fishing trip in northern Russia. On arrival, rescuers were told the pair had just been dropped...

» 3 killed in Russian helicopter crash - CBC.ca
21/07/13 23:35 from Russia - Google News
3 killed in Russian helicopter crashCBC.caThree people, including two British tourists, were killed on Sunday in a helicopter crash in northern Russia, officials said. Russia's Emergency Situations Ministry said the private Eurocopter c...

» Fishing trip Britons killed in Russia helicopter crash - BBC News
21/07/13 20:31 from Russia - Google News
The GuardianFishing trip Britons killed in Russia helicopter crashBBC NewsTwo British men in their 60s have died in a helicopter crash while on a fishing trip in northern Russia. On arrival, rescuers were told the pair had just been dropped...



» Vladimir Putin Invites Russia's Critics To “Try Some Viagra” - Deadspin
21/07/13 19:46 from Russia - Google News
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» Fishing trip Britons killed in Russia helicopter crash - BBC News
21/07/13 19:31 from Russia - Google News
Mirror.co.ukFishing trip Britons killed in Russia helicopter crashBBC NewsTwo British men in their 60s have died in a helicopter crash while on a fishing trip in northern Russia. On arrival, rescuers were told the pair had just been dropped...

» Two Britons killed in Russian helicopter accident during fishing trip
21/07/13 19:27 from World news: Russia | guardian.co.uk
Men die along with guide after being hit by rotor blades of helicopter which tilted to one side in Murmansk regionTwo Britons on a fishing expedition were killed on Sunday morning, along with their Russian guide, in a helicopter accident in...

» Russia Announces A Naval Buildup in the Pacific - the Diplomat
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» Russia to adopt new cyber security concept - The Voice of Russia
22/07/13 00:44 from Russia - Google News
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» Georgia Braces For The Post-Saakashvili Era
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Georgia's upcoming presidential election will be a watershed in the country's politics, insofar as it will usher in profound constitutional changes adopted in October 2010 that enhance the powers of the prime minister while reducing those o...



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» Islamic militants from Russia's Caucasus flock to join Syrian rebels, official ... - Washington Post
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» NSA Revelations Could Provide Ideal Cover For Authoritarian Governments
21/07/13 08:43 from Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty
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