From JVL’s newsletter yesterday
The Russian intelligence service’s ongoing Trump operations are the most successful campaign in the history of spycraft.
Consider three aspects of these operations:
(1) In 2016, they helped elect Trump, a pliant, pro-Russian president, and in the process transformed the official position of the Republican party from hostility to Russian interests to friendly indifference.
(2) In 2020 they planted disinformation that would eventually lead the House of Representatives to attempt an impeachment of President Biden.
But here’s the part that really impresses:
(3) These operations were conceived and executed in such a manner that it did not matter—at all—if they were exposed.
Think about it: We now know a great deal about what Russia did in these incidents. What price has Putin paid for the operations? None.
Even more importantly: What has been the practical impact on the operations themselvesfollowing their exposure? Again, none.
Has the exposure of the operations turned the Republican party against Russia? No.
Has the exposure of the operations hampered the attempt to weaken President Biden politically? No.
Has the exposure of the operations decreased the odds that Trump—Russia’s preferred candidate—will return to the presidency? Absolutely not.