A Pentagon white paper “Russian Strategic Intentions” (May, 2019) says the U.S. is underestimating the scope of Russia’s aggression.

The document was shared with Politico.

Prepared for the Joint Chiefs of Staff by the Pentagon and independent strategists, the paper details Russian efforts to undermine democracies. The study points to Russia’s use of propaganda and disinformation to sway public opinion across Europe, Central Asia, Africa and Latin America.

It also highlights the danger of alignment between Russia and China, both of which fear the United States’ international alliances and share an affinity for “authoritarian stability.”

The study recommends the State Department spearhead “influence operations,” including sowing divisions between Moscow and Beijing.

The study does not offer any direct criticism of Trump, but does come amid weakening U.S. global alliances.

The “Strategic Multilayer Assessment” lays out national security threats posed by Russia.

“In this environment, economic competition, influence campaigns, paramilitary actions, cyber intrusions, and political warfare will likely become more prevalent,” Navy Rear Adm. Jeffrey Czerewko, the Joint Chiefs’ deputy director for global operations, writes in the preface to the report.

“Such confrontations increase the risk of misperception and miscalculation, between powers with significant military strength, which may then increase the risk of armed conflict.”