Russia’s efforts to influence the American presidential election have received massive political and media attention. Equally important, but much less publicized is Russia’s interference through support of left-wing causes and groups opposing president Trump. These attempts include phony Facebook groups, Twitter accounts, and other social media. Russia’s influence operations includes also support for political groups, disinformation through news outlets in the U.S. as well as Europe.

As serious as Russia’s targeting of the Trump administration is, it also has profound and wider implications for Americans’ faith in their democratic institutions. It should therefore be of concern for all Americans. In his wildest dreams, Vladimir Putin could not have hoped for a more successful outcome of Russia’s influence operations than the exacerbated political divisions in the United Stated spurred by the last election.