U.S. Army Colonel Steven Lacy, a U.S. Army Russian expert, was the guest speaker at Wednesday’s Washington Rotary Club meeting.
Col. Lacy informed the local Rotarians about Russia’s history of using economic, military, and now internet capabilities to extend Russian influence throughout Europe and to weaken U.S. influence in the area.
He said that Russia’s economy is dependent on selling oil and gas to European countries.
Lacy told the club members that America and its allies could counter Russian influence by exposing propaganda and disinformation, by strengthening the trans-Atlantic partnerships and alliances, encouraging energy diversification in Europe, and by keeping track of Russian-Chinese relations.
Lacy went on to say that the U.S. military defense capabilities continue to be strong in defense of the nation’s interests.
