The Mueller investigation is pursuing investigative threads related to the UAE and possible corruption that seemingly have little connection to an investigation into collusion with Russia—but these two investigative threads may in fact be directly connected by way of the “Middle East Marshall Plan” backed by Michael Flynn.

President Trump’s own intelligence chiefs and Department of Justice have laid out in stark terms the enormous scope of the Russian attack on our democracy, and made clear that it continues as we speak. National Intelligence Director Dan Coats told the Senate Intelligence Committee, "Frankly, the United States is under attack," adding that "there should be no doubt that [Putin] views the past effort as successful.” Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein discussed Russia’s “informational warfare against the United States,” resulting in indictments of 13 Russian individuals and 3 Russian businesses, detailing a sprawling million-dollar-a-month campaign to sow discord in America and support the election of President Trump.

House Republicans just released a memo containing misleading information about the FBI's Russia investigation. Here are four things you need to know about the controversial memo.

Russia’s interference in the 2016 presidential election was not a sui generis event. Rather, it represents part of the country’s broader strategy toward the West, one that it has developed since Vladimir Putin first became the country’s president in 2000.

Congressional Republicans have blocked, stone-walled, or deflected every effort to investigate or respond to Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. The pattern of Republican obstruction is clear. At every step of the way, Republicans in Congress have conspired to shield President Donald Trump from a thorough investigation of the attack. As Robert Kagan warned months ago, congressional Republicans are effectively acting as “Russia’s accomplices.”

Michael Flynn pleaded guilty on Friday, December 1, 2017 to lying to the F.B.I. regarding his previous contacts with the Russian ambassador. Click here for an accounting of Flynn’s previous contacts with Russia that, when put together, demonstrate a concerning pattern.