A Disinformation Campaign Takes Dead Aim at Congress
By Defense Opinion |
5 days ago |
06/27/2025
Mark Pfeifle, Defense Opinion Writer.
Most Americans have never heard of third-party litigation funding (TPFL), the practice by which an entity that is not a party to a lawsuit nevertheless finances the plaintiff’s litigation in the hope of securing some objective – sometimes malevolent.
The practice has been used to great effect by America’s adversaries. Since the funding is purposefully opaque, those bankrolling the lawsuits – whether nations or non-state actors – are able to stay hidden while their funds keep U.S. interests tied up in court.
Although profiteering is often a driving force, some foreign entities have more sinister intentions. Researchers at the non-partisan Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS) concluded in 2024 that “foreign TPLF could present some dangers to the legal system.”
“The lack of transparency,” the study confirmed, “adds uncertainty to the kinds of entities accessing the legal system, potentially giving nefarious actors undue exposure to sensitive information belonging to U.S. firms that is critical to national security.”
https://www.defensedaily.com/commentary/a-disinformation-campaign-takes-dead-aim-at-congress/
