Russia did attempt to interfere in our election in 2016 — not Ukraine. I was in Ukraine during the revolution and saw the effects of the Russian disinformation campaign firsthand. I believe that was the proving ground for their operation against the US in 2016. #Ukraine

It was the first time the Russians truly saw the value of information operations and its ability to produce strategic facts without kinetic action. It helped inform their decision to do so in 2016.

All of it has to do with a chain of events that goes back over a decade with ties the Cold War. Russia wanted to stop NATO expansion on its borders.

It began in 2008 when both Ukraine and Georgia were on the verge of NATO membership. Putin invaded Georgia and tried to send a message.

None of what has transpired from the 2016 presidential interference to the current impeachment proceedings are isolated incidents. It stems from several decades of lacking a foreign policy doctrine.

Article coming soon.