- cross-posted to:
- news@beehaw.org
- cross-posted to:
- news@beehaw.org
Russia became increasingly aggressive and provocative toward European countries in 2024, employing espionage, cyberattacks, and covert disinformation campaigns to influence public debate, according to the annual report released by the General Intelligence and Security Service (AIVD). The agency described Russia’s actions as approaching the level of state terrorism aimed at spreading fear across Europe. The report also highlighted a rise in extremist threats within the Netherlands.
“The regime uses sabotage that borders on state terrorism to sow fear in Europe,” the AIVD stated in its report.
[…]
On Tuesday [April 22], the Military Intelligence and Security Service (MIVD) disclosed that Russian hackers attacked a Dutch public facility in 2024. The specific facility was not identified. The incident was part of the agency’s annual report and signals a significant shift in how national security is viewed, with threats now considered the norm rather than the exception. “From uncertainty as the exception to uncertainty as the rule,” AIVD Director-General Erik Akerboom said in the report.
According to the AIVD, the Netherlands faced a “multitude of threats” in 2024. The agency issued 73 official intelligence reports to the Public Prosecution Service—17 more than in 2023. These classified communications typically alert authorities about individuals who may be involved in criminal activity and allow prosecutors to initiate investigations.
…
Many of the AIVD’s investigations were linked to shifting global power dynamics and ongoing international conflicts. “The balance of power is changing, and the question is what the future world order will look like,” the report noted. “Anyone who assesses the threats to the Netherlands in 2024 will not only wonder what kind of world we live in, but also what we must do in response to this threat landscape.”
Alongside Russian threats, China also posed significant dangers. The Chinese government targeted a Dutch military research network with malicious software in a bid to spy on Dutch governmental and political targets. The AIVD report stated that China aimed to reduce Western influence worldwide through collaboration with Russia.
In addition to joint geopolitical efforts, China supplied military goods to Russia, including attack drones. These drones are frequently deployed in Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine.
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Do something about it. Or would doing something hurt the owner class behind the news and tech corporations used to spread the disinformation?
And what are the consequences that russia is facing? None at all? Well, no reason for them to stop then…
What consequences would you suggest then?
Counter espionage and propaganda.
Maybe shooting down a russian warplane if it violates Nato airspace?
Turkey shot down a russian warplane a few years ago. And there were no more violations afterwards.
E.g. cut currently still existing economic ties, exclude ALL russian banks from SWIFT, and send russian diplomats home.
Most European countries already did that.
Diplomats:
- https://www.axios.com/2022/03/29/europe-expel-russia-diplomat
- https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-politics-government-netherlands-5c30b4dcb0dcb830f808a7fcf809ed8f
- https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/150-russian-diplomats-expelled-in-europe-since-ukraine-war-started/2551798
More sanctions:
I’m not against that, but there might not be any diplomatic bullets left in the metaphorical chamber. Not saying Russia should get away with this, but an eye for an eye isn’t always the best reaction. I think they should take note (which they seem to do) and fix as many holes in the system as possible, rather than just revange and hope that will make Russia think twice next time.
