The head of the Federal Intelligence Service (BND) expects Russia to try to influence snap federal elections in February.Image: trapezoid
Bruno Carr, chairman of the Federal Intelligence Service (BND), expects Russia to try to influence snap federal elections in February. The head of Germany's foreign intelligence service told an event organized by the German Foreign Policy Society in Berlin that the electoral process itself would be difficult to influence. But we have already seen Russia’s involvement in the political opinion-forming process in elections so far this year.
Karl said the Kremlin is closely analyzing issues such as the coronavirus or climate in Germany and is inciting social conflict over these issues. On the left and right edges of the political spectrum, what is given is then “naively parroted”. “Of course that will have an impact on the election and the outcome.”
BND boss: Putin is banking on NATO failure
Kahl warned that Russia's hybrid attacks on Germany and Western defense alliance NATO would increase. Moscow’s willingness to further escalate in this area has reached an unprecedented level. The situation may get worse. This increases the risk of NATO alignment issues. As Russia's military potential grows, “direct military confrontation with NATO will become a possible option for the Kremlin.” By the end of the century, the Russian armed forces may have the personnel and material capabilities to launch an attack on NATO.
Karl explained that based on the assessment of BND experts, senior Russian Defense Ministry officials clearly have doubts about whether NATO assistance obligations and U.S. extended deterrence against Europe can be sustained in an emergency. “There are currently no signs that Russia has specific war intentions. But if this view prevails in government headquarters in Moscow, the risk of military conflict will increase in the coming years.” The focus “certainly will not be large-scale land grabs.” Instead, Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Russian leadership aim to make NATO fail as a defense alliance, according to the BND's assessment.
“Giraun Core”
The Kremlin is likely to first threaten Europe before entering a military conflict with NATO – “the nuclear whispers we hear from time to time are part of that,” Carr said. Russia wants to test its willingness to provide assistance before an offensive conflict and dissuade individual allies from abandoning a common political line and self-defense. The head of Germany's Federal Intelligence Service has warned that Moscow will try to split NATO before a possible war begins. “The Kremlin may believe that it will be difficult for the West to find the right common answers in a world of multiple conflicts,” he added. (Sudanese Development Authority/Department of Political Affairs)
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