Are you ready for an anonymously sourced story from the intelligence community via the Associated Press? US intelligence officials briefed the news organization on the right-leaning site Zero Hedge supposedly sharing Russian-created news stories about Ukraine.
As per our usual arrangement, accusations such as these only flow in one direction, i.e. toward right-wing figures and outlets. When it comes to anything to do with the left, the intel community is suddenly as buttoned-up as Fort Knox, of course.
U.S. intelligence officials on Tuesday accused a conservative financial news website with a significant American readership of amplifying Kremlin propaganda and alleged five media outlets targeting Ukrainians have taken direction from Russian spies.
The officials said Zero Hedge, which has 1.2 million Twitter followers, published articles created by Moscow-controlled media that were then shared by outlets and people unaware of their nexus to Russian intelligence. The officials did not say whether they thought Zero Hedge knew of any links to spy agencies and did not allege direct links between the website and Russia.
Zero Hedge denied the claims and said it tries to “publish a wide spectrum of views that cover both sides of a given story.” In a response posted online Tuesday morning, the website said it “has never worked, collaborated or cooperated with Russia, nor are there any links to spy agencies.”
The officials briefed The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive intelligence sources.
When you dig into these allegations, they are incredibly vague. According to these anonymous officials, Zero Hedge published a few pieces by writers connected to the Strategic Culture Foundation. Why does that matter? Well, it doesn’t, unless you also believe the allegations that the foundation in question is being directed by Russian intelligence.
What evidence exists to show that is the case? There isn’t any, or at least none is shared by the AP’s sources. This is how this always goes. Some wild claim is made via anonymous sources, no supporting evidence is given, and then the target of the hit job is left to defend itself from something that was never proven in the first place.
So, what was the terrible Russian propaganda supposedly shared by Zero Hedge? Apparently, they published some articles that asserted the Biden administration was overhyping the threat of a Russian invasion of Ukraine.
But the Biden administration has fomented panic regarding Ukraine, to the point where even the Ukrainians themselves have had to essentially say “calm down bro” to Biden and his cohorts. How many times in the last month has the White House made it seem as if an invasion is going to happen within hours or days? How many times have they used the word “imminent” to describe a Russian incursion?
As things stand today, there’s already talk of the situation deescalating. So how was it “misinformation” for Zero Hedge to publish articles that supposed what…actually seems to be happening?
Still, let’s say that these intelligence officials are correct and that Zero Hedge posted some articles, unknowingly, from people connected to Russia. So, what? Last I checked, this is supposed to still be a country founded on free speech. How is it appropriate for the government to target news outlets for what they publish? Further, if the situation is so dire, why are these officials running to illegally leak classified information to the AP about it?
Laughably, one of the allegations against Zero Hedge is that they published materials targeting Hunter Biden. Oh, the horror, right? I think most people can ascertain what this is really about. The intelligence community is full of left-wing hacks willing to break the law in order to target anyone they deem to be on the right. We’ve seen it happen time and time again. That they ran to a left-leaning news outlet to push this story is just proof that it’s all political.