Illustration: Aïda Amer/AxiosChina, Russia and Iran — drawing on one another’s online disinformation — amplified false theories that the COVID-19 virus originated in a U.S. bioweapons lab or was designed by Washington to weaken their countries, according to a nine-month investigation and the .Why it matters: Through a series of overlapping, if slapdash, efforts, America's global adversaries benefited from mutually reinforcing counter-narratives propagated online that aimed to falsely place responsibility for the pandemic on the U.S. and often to sow doubt on its actual origin within China....…Illustration: Aïda Amer/AxiosChina, Russia and Iran — drawing on one another’s online disinformation — amplified false theories that the COVID-19 virus originated in a U.S. bioweapons lab or was designed by Washington to weaken their countries, according to a nine-month investigation and the .Why it matters: Through a series of overlapping, if slapdash, efforts, America's global adversaries benefited from mutually reinforcing counter-narratives propagated online that aimed to falsely place responsibility for the pandemic on the U.S. and often to sow doubt on its actual origin within China....WW…

Illustration: Aïda Amer/AxiosThe bizarre story of Capitol rioter is a full-circle moment for Russia as it looks for new ways to shore up its own influence by fueling the democracy-destabilizing ascendancy of a globally networked radical right.The big picture: Five years ago, Russia used a network of bots and strategic hack-and-leak operations to embolden an unwitting U.S. far right. Now, at least one American extremist stands accused of willingly offering would-be material support to Moscow.What's happening: Williams, according to court documents, helped lead the rioters’ charge upstairs...…Illustration: Aïda Amer/AxiosThe bizarre story of Capitol rioter is a full-circle moment for Russia as it looks for new ways to shore up its own influence by fueling the democracy-destabilizing ascendancy of a globally networked radical right.The big picture: Five years ago, Russia used a network of bots and strategic hack-and-leak operations to embolden an unwitting U.S. far right. Now, at least one American extremist stands accused of willingly offering would-be material support to Moscow.What's happening: Williams, according to court documents, helped lead the rioters’ charge upstairs...WW…

Photo illustration: Brendan Lynch. Photos: Doug Mills-Pool/Getty ImagesLast week's riot at the Capitol was many things, but perhaps chiefly it was the culmination of four years of information warfare waged against the country from within the Oval Office.Why it matters: A sprawling disinformation campaign led by President Trump — and buttressed by his allies in the media, online and in Congress — has severely destabilized the U.S. and makes further acts of violence and would-be insurrection a near certainty.The big picture: Transnational conflict and power plays increasingly take place...…Photo illustration: Brendan Lynch. Photos: Doug Mills-Pool/Getty ImagesLast week's riot at the Capitol was many things, but perhaps chiefly it was the culmination of four years of information warfare waged against the country from within the Oval Office.Why it matters: A sprawling disinformation campaign led by President Trump — and buttressed by his allies in the media, online and in Congress — has severely destabilized the U.S. and makes further acts of violence and would-be insurrection a near certainty.The big picture: Transnational conflict and power plays increasingly take place...WW…

Illustration: Sarah Grillo/AxiosA suspected Chinese intelligence operative developed extensive ties with local and national politicians, including a U.S. congressman, in what U.S. officials believe was a political intelligence operation run by China’s main civilian spy agency between 2011 and 2015, Axios found in a yearlong investigation.Why it matters: The alleged operation offers a rare window into how Beijing has tried to gain access to and influence U.S. political circles.The woman at the center of the operation, a Chinese national named Fang Fang or Christine Fang, targeted...…Illustration: Sarah Grillo/AxiosA suspected Chinese intelligence operative developed extensive ties with local and national politicians, including a U.S. congressman, in what U.S. officials believe was a political intelligence operation run by China’s main civilian spy agency between 2011 and 2015, Axios found in a yearlong investigation.Why it matters: The alleged operation offers a rare window into how Beijing has tried to gain access to and influence U.S. political circles.The woman at the center of the operation, a Chinese national named Fang Fang or Christine Fang, targeted...WW…