### U.S. Intelligence Warns of Foreign Influence in Upcoming November Elections

U.S. intelligence agencies have raised alarms about potential foreign interference aimed at undermining the legitimacy of the upcoming November elections. Officials caution that adversaries such as Russia, China, and Iran are expected to intensify campaigns of disinformation and false claims regarding ballot counting to shake American confidence in the electoral process.

During a virtual briefing, a senior intelligence official emphasized that foreign efforts to destabilize American democracy are likely to persist even after Election Day on November 5. These adversaries are expected to continue their disruptive activities by questioning the validity of election results, thereby deepening societal divisions and undermining trust in democratic institutions.

The latest intelligence assessment identifies Russia, China, and Iran as the main foreign players seeking to influence the electoral outcomes, not only in the presidential race but also in congressional and state elections. Additionally, Cuba has been implicated in similar activities, focusing on promoting or undermining candidates based on their alignment with Havana's interests. Unlike the other actors, Iran’s efforts are concentrated solely on the presidential race.

Russia's disinformation campaign predominantly targets Vice President Kamala Harris and her fellow Democrats, aligned with Moscow's broader goal to erode U.S. support for Ukraine. Similarly, China's interference spans multiple races, employing social media and other online platforms to discredit specific candidates. Cuban efforts are focused on gaining favor with lawmakers who might support policies favorable to its regime.

A notable tactic used by these foreign actors involves leveraging Americans to propagate their disinformation. These adversaries often employ foreign influence firms or commercial entities and exploit both witting and unwitting Americans to make their false narratives appear genuine. Intelligence officials believe that content appearing to originate from Americans is more likely to be trusted by the public than overt foreign propaganda.

This disinformation strategy is not entirely new. Last month, three Iranians were indicted for orchestrating a hack into former President Donald Trump’s campaign, with the stolen data being offered to then-President Joe Biden's campaign, which declined to engage.

Despite these allegations, officials from Russia, China, Iran, and Cuba deny any attempts to interfere with the U.S. elections through covert operations. Nonetheless, U.S. intelligence agencies continue to monitor and counteract these ongoing foreign efforts to ensure the integrity of the electoral process is upheld.