Mike Benz, a former senior diplomat with the State Department of the United States of America, has claimed that biased elements in the US foreign policy establishment waged a campaign against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP in the run-up to India’s 2019 general elections.
According to Benz, despite PM Modi sharing excellent relations with then then US President Donald Trump, these elements within the administration, along with social media tech giants, influential think tanks and officials of the State Department were working to paint PM Modis electoral success as the result of a misinformation campaign”. The Sunday Guardian spoke to Benz. Edited excerpts:
Q: Can you share your professional background, including your stint with the State Department?
A: I was Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Communications and Information Technology at the US State Department from Fall 2020 through January 2021. I am the Executive Director of the Foundation for Freedom Online (FFO), a nonprofit watchdog dedicated to protecting digital liberties and restoring the free and open Internet.
Previously, I was in charge of the cyber and “Big Tech” portfolios for the US State Department, where I served as Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Communications and Information Technology. That role included formulating and negotiating US policy on cyber issues as well as interfacing with private industry and civil society in the Big Tech space.
This story is from the February 05, 2023 edition of The Sunday Guardian.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the February 05, 2023 edition of The Sunday Guardian.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
WHEN PHILANTHROPY AND SEVA COME NATURALLY
On a bitterly cold January evening a group of devotees of Saint Jalaram are serving hot nutritious food to the homeless and destitute in the Holborn area of London. University students too can be seen in the queues. Saint Jalaram was born in 1799 in Gujarat.
BMW Motorrad India to raise prices by up to 2.5%
BMW Motorrad India will increase prices by up to 2.5% across the model range. The new prices will be effective from 01 January 2025 onwards.
Volvo Group partners with Indian universities to shape future automotive talent
Volvo signs MoU with Amrita University and Thapar Institute to build a stronger industry-academia engagement and enhance the engineering industry readiness.
NO GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION TO DETERMINE PRICE OF VEHICLES TO BE SCRAPPED
In a written reply to the Lok Sabha, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari said that there will be no government intervention for determining the fair price for a vehicle to be scrapped.
GADKARI VOWS TO MAKE AUTO INDUSTRY NO. 1
The Indian automobile industry ranks third globally, behind China and the United States, but the government aims to elevate it to the top position within the next five years, Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari stated.
Maruti to ramp up exports by over two-fold to 8 lakh units by 2030-31
Maruti Suzuki India is aiming to export about 8 lakh vehicles annually by the fiscal year 2030-31, from its current exports of around 3 lakh units.
ALLAHABAD HIGH COURT SUMMONS POLICE COMMISSIONER ON CONTEMPT PETITION
The Allahabad High Court has recently summoned Prayagraj Police Commissioner Tarun Gauba and other officials to appear on December 10 regarding a contempt petition.
GULFISHA, KHALID SEEK BAIL ON GROUNDS OF PARITY
Several individuals accused in the larger conspiracy case related to the 2020 Delhi Riots, including Gulfisha Fatima, Abdul Khalid Saifi, and Shifa Ur Rehman, have approached the Delhi High Court on Tuesday seeking bail.
Delhi HC directs CBI to appoint senior officer for RAU Study Circle case
The Delhi High Court has recently directed the Central Bureau of Investigation to appoint a senior officer to regularly monitor the investigation into the RAU's IAS Study Circle case.
Delhi HC directs govt to submit report on AHF injection stocks
The Delhi High Court has recently instructed both the Centre and the Delhi government to submit reports on the current stock of Antihemophilic Factor injections, which are essential for treating haemophilia, a rare genetic disorder.
