Active Measures

More about the book

This dramatic history of disinformation traces the evolution of organized deception from the interwar period to today's internet troll farms. We are currently in an era dominated by disinformation, where spy agencies invest heavily in hacking, leaking, and data forgery, aiming to undermine trust in facts and the foundations of liberal democracy. Thomas Rid, a notable expert on technology and national security, was among the first to raise concerns about Russian military intelligence's plans to disrupt the democratic process before the 2016 election. The narrative of modern disinformation, however, is not new; it began with the post-Russian Revolution conflict between communism and capitalism, shaping the Cold War. Rid uncovers startling intelligence and security secrets through materials in over ten languages and interviews with current and former operatives. He reveals the colorful history of organized lying, detailing significant operations, including a White Russian scheme that backfired, a KGB-led anti-Semitic campaign, and a CIA-backed fake publishing empire. Additionally, he explores the rise of leaking and the exploitation of internet culture by spies long before WikiLeaks. The book also offers insights into the 2016 election, particularly the role of a notorious troll farm and other covert attacks, guiding readers through a complex landscape of deception while providing tools to discern the truth.