The Headlines

Foreign Election Interference, and Volkswagen May Close Factories

Oct 29, 2024

Dive into the murky waters of foreign election interference with tactics from Russia, China, and Iran. Explore the rising tensions on the campaign trail, including arson attacks on ballot boxes and Kamala Harris's determined efforts amid protests. Delve into the ethical dilemmas surrounding a possible second Trump presidency, influenced by his international business connections. Plus, hear about Volkswagen's unprecedented factory closures and discover why crossing a crow could be a grave mistake!

08:50

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Quick takeaways

Foreign interference in U.S. elections has evolved to include sophisticated disinformation tactics employed by nations like Russia, China, and Iran.

The potential reelection of Donald Trump poses significant ethical dilemmas due to his overlapping business interests and national policies.

Deep dives

Foreign Interference in Elections

Foreign interference in U.S. elections has become increasingly sophisticated, with countries like Russia, Iran, and China employing advanced strategies to spread disinformation rather than directly manipulating voting machines or results. These efforts include Russian operatives disseminating pro-Trump content on platforms like Reddit, and Chinese accounts using Telegram to engage college students over international conflicts. Iran's creation of websites promoting conspiracy theories and anti-American narratives illustrates a nuanced approach to influence. The rise of AI tools, such as ChatGPT, has further enabled these nations to generate targeted propaganda, complicating the tracking and mitigation of such disinformation campaigns.

Intro

2min

Arson Attacks on Ballot Boxes and Campaign Trail Tensions

3min

Conflicts of Interest and Economic Struggles

4min

Plus, why you should never cross a crow.

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On Today’s Episode:

How Russia, China and Iran Are Interfering in the Presidential Election, by Sheera Frenkel, Tiffany Hsu and Steven Lee Myers

Investigators Identify ‘Suspect Vehicle’ in Ballot Drop Box Fires in the Pacific Northwest, by Mike Baker

Harris Aides Quietly Grow More Bullish on Defeating Trump, by Reid J. Epstein, Lisa Lerer and Maggie Haberman

An Ethical Minefield Awaits a Possible Second Trump Presidency, by Ben Protess, Maggie Haberman and Eric Lipton

For the First Time in 87-Year History, Volkswagen May Close Factories, by Melissa Eddy

If You Think You Can Hold a Grudge, Consider the Crow, by Thomas Fuller