We have the inside story of a rare blow against Russia’s global campaign of disinformation and subversion.
This summer, American intelligence officials say, they spotted the Kremlin undermining a referendum in Macedonia on whether to rename the country “North Macedonia.” The change would placate Greece over a historical dispute and enable NATO membership, exactly what Russia doesn’t want.
So the U.S. transmitted secret information to Greece, persuading it to expel two Russian diplomats even as President Trump cozied up to his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin.
In the referendum last month, Macedonians voted overwhelmingly in favor of changing the name. But turnout was low — just as Russia, in stoking a boycott, had hoped — and Parliament will have to make the final call. Above, a woman voting in the referendum.
