Foreign Malign Influence

 

Disinformation


False information which is intended to mislead, especially propaganda issued by a government organization to a rival power or the media

Misinformation


Spreading false information such as rumors, insults, falsehoods, sometimes unknowingly.

Foreign Malign
Influence


FMI is any hostile effort undertaken by, at the direction of, or on behalf of, or with the substantial support of, a foreign government with the objective of influencing, through overt or covert means. This includes the use of disinformation and propaganda spread by nefarious actors.

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Foreign Malign Influence (FMI) is any hostile effort undertaken by, at the direction of, or on behalf of or with the substantial support of, a foreign government with the objective of influencing, through overt or covert means. This includes the use of disinformation and propaganda spread by nefarious actors. For decades, nefarious actors have used disinformation to deliberately deceive and influence public opinion, destabilize societies, and impact things like politics, elections, social issues, and instill fear around world events. Disinformation and propaganda campaigns often target DTRA programs as part of larger efforts aimed at discrediting the United States by undermining alliances and eroding trust in partnerships with beneficiary countries by deliberately spreading false information. FMI has long targeted DTRA, but more recently, the Kremlin has taken aim at various different aspects of DTRA most notably the Cooperative Threat Reduction (CTR)’s programs with its beneficiary partner nations.

By filling the information space that would otherwise be filled with lies from malign actors with truthful stories and fact-based articles, DTRA is better able to compete with and discredit targeted FMI like the unfounded and debunked allegations that the United States conducts chemical and biological weapons activities in Ukraine when in fact, the United States does not operate any chemical or biological weapons programs or facilities in Ukraine.

Video by Andrea Chaney
DTRA and Government of Armenia Strengthen Partnership with Culminating FTX
Defense Threat Reduction Agency
Sept. 26, 2024 | 7:15
DTRA in continued partnership with the Government of Armenia (GoAM), conducted a 5-day, multiple-location, Counter-Weapons of Mass Destruction Field Training Exercise (FTX) throughout Armenia. The week-long FTX consisted of multiple scenarios touching all aspects of WMD threats in the Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear space.
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Fact Sheets

pdf iconU.S. State Department Disarming Disinformation Site

Aug. 24, 2023
Disinformation is one of the Kremlin’s most important and far-reaching weapons. Russia has operationalized the concept of perpetual adversarial competition in the information environment by encouraging the development of a disinformation and propaganda ecosystem.

View Fact Sheet by clicking link above

pdf iconBiological Threat Reduction Program Global Nuclear Security

Aug. 1, 2023
The Global Nuclear Security (GNS) Program supports the cooperative dismantlement of nuclear weapon programs, as well as the transportation and disposition of related systems and associated materials. The GNS Program builds international partner capacity and expertise to secure nuclear weapons, nuclear weapons-usable or high-threat radiological materials, nuclear weapons components, equipment, technology, and expertise, and to counter nuclear smuggling.

View Fact Sheet by clicking link above

pdf iconBiological Threat Reduction Program Chemical Security and Elimination

Aug. 1, 2023
The Chemical Security and Elimination (CSE) Program supports the cooperative elimination of chemical weapons (CW), related materials, and infrastructure; and builds the capacity of international partners to secure toxic industrial chemicals (TIC) and CW precursors, as well as associated components, materials, equipment, technology, and expertise.

View Fact Sheet by clicking link above

pdf iconBiological Threat Reduction Program BTRP

Aug. 1, 2023
Biological Threat Reduction Program protects the United States, its Armed Forces and our allies from biological threats by strengthening the capabilities of partner nations and the international community to prevent, detect and prepare for outbreaks caused by biothreat pathogens.

View Fact Sheet by clicking link above

pdf iconCooperative Threat Reduction (CTR) Ukraine Factsheet

May 15, 2023
Since 2005, the program assisted the Ukrainian government in converting former Soviet biological weapons (BW) research facilities to support peaceful and safe biological detection and diagnostic capabilities and reduce the threats posed by dangerous pathogens, whether they are naturally occurring, accidental, or intentional.

View Fact Sheet by clicking link above

pdf iconBiology Threat Reduction Program Nigeria Factsheet

April 14, 2023
Since 2018, the program has worked with the Nigerian public health sector to enhance its diagnostic and disease detection capabilities to support both local and international efforts to diagnose, track, and respond to potential infectious disease outbreaks.

View Fact Sheet by clicking link above

pdf iconU.S. DoD CTR Program (DoD CTR) Biological Threat Reduction Engagement with THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION

April 14, 2023
U.S. Department of Defense Cooperative Threat Reduction Program (DoD CTR) Biological Threat Reduction Engagement with THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION, 1996-2013. Since 1991, Congress has provided $2.3 billion to support CTR efforts globally.

View Fact Sheet by clicking link above

pdf iconCongressional Research Service (CRS) Ukraine Factsheet

April 14, 2023
Biological Security Engagement in Ukraine: U.S. Cooperation and Threat Reduction Programs

View Fact Sheet by clicking link above

pdf iconThe Kremlin’s Never-Ending Attempt to Spread Disinformation about Biological Weapons

March 14, 2023
Russia, like the Soviet Union before it, has pushed false claims for decades about biological weapons in an attempt to create mistrust in the peaceful global efforts and public health institutions that counter biological threats.

View Fact Sheet by clicking link above

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DTRA provides cross-cutting solutions to enable the Department of Defense, the United States Government, and international partners to deter strategic attack against the United States and its allies; prevent, reduce, and counter WMD and emerging threats; and prevail against WMD-armed adversaries in crisis and conflict.  

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