Hegseth Orders Suspension of Cyber, Information Operations Planning Against Russia

A significant shift in US foreign policy has sent shockwaves through the nation's capital, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordering a stand-down on cyber and information operations planning against Russia. The move, first reported by cybersecurity news outlet Recorded Future, appears to be aimed at appeasing Moscow and drawing it to the negotiating table in talks with Ukraine.

The decision was made at the urging of President Donald Trump, who met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Vice President Mike Pence, and other officials on Friday. The meeting ended in disarray, but Hegseth's directive is seen as an attempt to smooth over relations with Russia.

The order, which was issued without the knowledge of Congress or the public, has sparked concern among lawmakers. Washington state Rep. Adam Smith, the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, has called for a detailed explanation from Hegseth regarding the scope and impact of the directive.

A Shift in US Policy

The recent change in US foreign policy reflects a significant shift in approach towards Russia, with Secretary Hegseth ordering a halt to cyber and information operations planning against Moscow. The decision means that US cyber warriors will no longer be gathering intelligence that can be used to influence or disrupt Russian decision-making.

This change comes as Russia has been increasingly aggressive in its use of cyber warfare, including mass hacking and influence operations targeting the United States. In 2020, intelligence officials warned that Moscow had launched a major effort to sway American voters in favor of Trump's re-election campaign.

Concerns Over National Security

Congress is growing increasingly concerned over the implications of Hegseth's directive for national security. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has accused Trump of giving Russia "a free pass" and undermining efforts to protect American critical infrastructure from cyber threats.

"The best defense is always a strong offense, and that’s true for cybersecurity too," Schumer said in a statement on X. "This decision sends a clear message that the US is not taking Russian cyber aggression seriously enough."

The Extent of the Order

The extent of Hegseth's directive is unclear, but it appears to have excluded signals intelligence work from the National Security Agency (NSA). The NSA will continue to track Russian activities using its signals intelligence capabilities.

Cyber Command had been actively collaborating with Ukrainian cyber counterparts on information sharing, including exchanging indicators of compromise. The decision has raised concerns over the potential impact on these partnerships and the effectiveness of US cybersecurity efforts.

A Kremlin Perspective

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has characterized the shift in US foreign policy as a reflection of Moscow's own perspective. "The new administration is rapidly changing all foreign policy configurations," Peskov said. "This largely coincides with our vision."

"Due to operational security concerns, we do not discuss cyber intelligence, plans, or operations," Cyber Command stated in response to the news. The command had been actively collaborating with Ukrainian cyberspace counterparts on information sharing.