Ep 19. The Russians are Here

The episode "The Russians are Here" is the nineteenth episode of season one of the award-winning investigative documentary series Frontline. In this episode, the team delves into the unfolding story of Russia's interference in the 2016 United States presidential election, exploring the cyber-campaign led by the Russian government to influence the outcome of the election.

As news emerged of Russian hacking and meddling in the election, the Frontline team followed the story as it developed in real-time, investigating the connections between individuals and organizations involved in the interference. They also explored how the hacked information was disseminated across social media platforms, targeting particular groups of citizens in key swing states with inflammatory and divisive content.

With interviews from key figures involved in the investigation, including former FBI director James Comey and former National Security Advisor Susan Rice, the episode provides a comprehensive overview of the scale and methods of the Russian interference campaign, as well as the response of the US government and intelligence agencies.

The episode raises questions about the impact of the interference on the election result and the implications for the future of democracy and electoral systems around the world. It also sheds light on the complex network of connections and motivations that drove the Russian interference, including the role of private individuals and businesses in the campaign, as well as the ongoing collusion investigation and its potential ramifications.

As with all Frontline episodes, "The Russians are Here" presents a rigorously researched and thoughtfully presented analysis of a critical issue, weaving together diverse perspectives and sources to provide a nuanced and comprehensive understanding of the topic at hand. The episode serves as an important documentation of a significant moment in US political history and an urgent warning about the ongoing threat of foreign interference in democratic processes.