In a time when political tensions are high, it’s tempting to see those who disagree with us at the ballot box as a threat. The voices we hear online, in the media, or even at the bus stop in the morning might make us feel as if our fellow Americans are somehow the real danger. But in truth, your neighbors, regardless of their political beliefs, are not your enemies. They can’t “take away” your country, because America is stronger than any single election. The real threat lies far beyond our borders.
The reality is that America’s actual enemies—those who truly wish to weaken our country—are working tirelessly to convince us otherwise. To convince us that we are a weak country under threat from our neighbors. Adversaries like Russia, China, and Iran have repeatedly interfered in democratic processes worldwide, including our own, not to swing an election one way or the other but to amplify distrust and foster division. By fueling a narrative that the “other side” is out to destroy America, they aim to destabilize our society. And every time we let go of our faith in each other and in the electoral process, we’re doing their work for them.
Our country’s resilience is rooted in our shared commitment to democracy and respect for the rule of law. Yet, some of our adversaries fear what a united America represents—a stable, powerful democracy that stands as a counterweight to their influence on the global stage. These countries have been known to exploit political divides by using misinformation, hacking, and propaganda to manipulate elections around the world.
In recent years, the impacts of foreign interference have been well-documented. While Russia’s involvement in the 2016 U.S. election has been widely reported, interference efforts by Iran and China have targeted other election cycles in equally concerning ways, not only here but also in other democracies. These adversaries of free people don’t necessarily care about who wins any given election. They care about sowing enough doubt, fear, and division that we turn on each other. When we start seeing our neighbors as enemies and lose faith in our electoral process, our adversaries win.
Iran’s attempts to disrupt democratic processes are well-documented, and one notable example is the 2020 U.S. presidential election. Just days before the election, the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security announced that Iranian operatives had sent threatening emails to American voters, posing as members of the far-right group Proud Boys. These emails warned recipients to “vote for Trump or else,” attempting to intimidate and confuse voters. According to U.S. intelligence, the goal of this scheme was not simply to influence one side or another but to spread fear and create a sense of chaos, casting doubt on the integrity of the election.
Iranian interference doesn’t stop at American elections. In Iraq, Iran has consistently tried to influence elections to ensure that candidates and policies favorable to Tehran are implemented. For years, Iranian-backed groups have attempted to destabilize Iraq’s democratic process, at times even using armed intimidation. This interference has hindered Iraq’s development as a stable democracy, with lasting repercussions for its citizens.
China, too, has sought to interfere with democratic processes both in its own sphere of influence and further afield. Taiwan, for example, has been a consistent target of Chinese interference, especially in recent election cycles. In the 2018 Taiwanese local elections, Chinese-backed actors flooded Taiwanese social media with disinformation campaigns, attempting to sway voters against candidates favoring Taiwanese sovereignty. These campaigns included rumors and doctored photos designed to stir fear and mistrust among voters.
READ: China-Linked ‘Spamouflage’ Network Mimics Americans Online to Sway US Political Debate
In Hong Kong, the influence has been even more direct. Following major wins by pro-democracy politicians in 2019, China increased its crackdown on democratic activists, going so far as to censor social media platforms and using both covert and overt intimidation tactics against pro-democracy candidates. The goal of this interference was clear: to suppress Hong Kong’s movement toward democratic representation and bolster Beijing’s influence in the region.
China’s interference isn’t confined to its neighbors; recent U.S. intelligence reports suggest that Beijing has taken a growing interest in American politics as well. In 2020, Chinese-affiliated operatives engaged in subtle, long-term campaigns to shape American public opinion. Their tactics included the use of fake social media accounts, which shared divisive content on hot-button issues to drive wedges between different groups of Americans.
Every bit of civil unrest or distrust we harbor toward our system plays into their hands. If America is distracted by internal strife, it’s easier for these adversaries to operate on the world stage. They know that when we are focused on our differences, we are less likely to notice or oppose their own actions, whether it’s violating human rights, expanding authoritarianism, or destabilizing other regions.
What our enemies truly fear is a united America. A country that stands together, even amid political differences, is a force to be reckoned with. When we choose to respect each other’s right to differing opinions and accept the outcome of elections—even when we may disagree with the results—we’re showing the world that democracy works.
Let’s remember that this election season. The person on the other side of the yard sign, the different-colored bumper sticker, or the social media post isn’t a danger to our country. They’re simply another American exercising the same rights that we all hold dear.
READ: Election Officials Across the Country Prepare for Threats with Panic Buttons, Bulletproof Glass
How we act in the days and weeks after this election will send a message to the world about who we are as a people. Let’s send the message that the foundation of America is unshakable, that from many people we are one nation. Our many voices are one American chorus. And we march ever-forward into a better future for the next generation.
On November 5th, we vote. On November 6th, we show the world who we are.
