The Hacking Must Go On

(RFE/RL – rferl.org – Brian Whitmore – November 16, 2016)

The U.S. election may be over, but Russia is still hacking the United States.

But the goal appears to have shifted from sowing chaos to gathering intelligence — at least for the time being.

According to cybersecurity experts, the November 9 attacks was carried out by the hacking group known as Cozy Bear, which is believed to be tied to the FSB.

It targeted think tanks, NGOs, and academic researchers focusing on international security issues.

And according to the same experts, it specifically targeted people who may be associated with the incoming U.S. administration.

What this tells us is that Russia’s cyberwar against the United States — and its asymmetrical non-kinetic war against the West in general — is not going to stop anytime soon.

It’s going to continue regardless of who is in the White House.

It is going to continue if relations remain conflictual or if they become cooperative.

It is going to continue if there is a new detente.

And it is going to continue if there is a new reset.

Vladimir Putin clearly believes he is on a roll, racking up one victory after another over the West.

He sees his goal of undermining NATO, the EU, transatlantic relations, and the post-Cold War security order as being in sight.

And he’s not going to let up until he reaches it.

Article from Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty – rferl.org – ©2016 RFE/RL, Inc. Article also appeared at  rferl.org/a/daily-vertical-hacking-putin-united-states/28120628.html