Amid criticism that it has failed to adequately respond to Russian propaganda and misinformation, the State Department says it's adding new staff and resources to the effort.

The latest: State's Global Engagement Center (G.E.C), designed to counter propaganda from U.S. adversaries, has now been exempted from a hiring freeze and plans to bring on experts on Russia, China and Iran, Acting Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs Heather Nauert told Axios. The agency also "anticipates the arrival of $40 million ... to counter propaganda and disinformation," and will be reviewing "proposals from civil society groups to fight Russian disinformation," she said.

The backdrop: