1. While this is not your area of specialization, what are your thoughts about the recent reporting concerning the Russian split over the Wagner Group?
Answer: I'm extremely uncomfortable about the reporting over this situation, frankly.
2. Would you care to elaborate?
Answer: The reporting within the U.S. has been overly simplistic on this topic, implying to me that there are only a few sources of information about these events.
The Russians specialize in disinformation. The far right has shown itself to be closely allied with Russian objectives. The journalism on this subject feels reductive and impoverished. It feels untrue to me.
3. What would be the objectives of a staged disagreement between Putin and Prigozhin?
Answer: The objectives could relate to an escalation in the types of weapons being deployed in Ukraine. And I think Putin would be all to happy to disavow ownership of any such escalation, while the truth may be quite different.
4. You suspect that Putin could be setting up a circumstance that would allow for a weapons escalation while still appearing to keep his hands clean.
Answer: That is the obvious concern.
5. What is the obvious answer?
Answer: We might extend the message to Putin that any unacceptable escalation in the types of weapons being deployed against Ukraine will be viewed as having originated from Putin himself. He needs to know that he has no escape clause attached to an ostensible rift with the Wagner Group. And the far right worldwide would benefit from understanding that that message is a serious one that will be enforced.
Putin believes that democratic ideals and those who support them are weak.
He needs to comprehend the reality of our strength in the form of our unwavering resolve to support the rights of Ukrainians and our own cause of democracy, both of which he has assailed.
6. How is it possible to address the potential disinformation regarding the Putin/Prigozhin rift?
Answer: I think that news organizations could simply report that the U.S. is evaluating the disinformation surrounding this issue. The truth of this matter is known within our three-letter agencies. Someone needs to go in search of it, and right away.
And, again, Putin needs to be told -- and told publicly -- that he will be held directly responsible for any unacceptable escalations in Ukraine.
It's simply necessary to anticipate his moves and to inform the public of the "false flag" stratagems that are so characteristic of Russian totalitarianism under his regime.
7. What would healthy journalism on this subject look like?
Answer: It would be deeper and broader. We would be seeing much more information on Prigozhin's current relationships with Russian oligarchs, and in so doing, we would have a clearer view into his thinking. We would be seeing more information about Putin's objectives toward Wagner as communicated internally. All of this is missing from the journalism on this subject, and I find those omissions to be deeply concerning.
8. The narrative feels fake to you.
Answer: It does.
9. And to the extent that our own three-letter agencies are compromised within far right factions, you feel a pressing sense of concern surrounding this issue.
Answer: I do.
10. Yet, you believe that we are capable of effectively addressing the disinformation on which the far right is currently relying.
Answer: President Biden and his administration are gifted at responding to these kinds of situations with fortitude, resolve, and proactive public communications. They are well-equipped to handle this.
11. Why is your faith in President Biden so profound?
Answer: President Biden is the most courageous defender of democracy we have seen in an American president in many, many generations. His wisdom, his insight and his judgement render him precisely the leader the world needs at this inflection point in human history, with democracy facing an autocratic challenge worldwide.
12. He has your full faith and confidence.
Answer: Yes, he does.
Lane MacWilliams
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