Just as the Central Bank was involved in recent mobilisation exercises, predicated (rightly) on the fact that any major conflict with the West would also be fought with economic instruments, I wonder how far Moscow is coming to terms with…
#Russiagate
Fred Kaplan: How will Trump react to reports that Russia was trying to get him elected? – Slate
Obama is famously resistant (some have said he’s “allergic”) to escalating conflicts, especially if the conflict doesn’t threaten vital U.S. interests. But the United States has few interests more vital than assuring that a foreign power doesn’t tilt a presidential…
Jonathan Chait: Trump, McConnell, and the Triumph of the Will to Power – New York
Perhaps the most amazing revelation in the Post’s report is, “Some of the Republicans in the briefing also seemed opposed to the idea of going public with such explosive allegations in the final stages of an election.” Almost immediately afterward,…
Spencer Ackerman: Intelligence figures fear Trump reprisals over assessment of Russia election role – The Guardian
Carle, the retired CIA officer, said Trump’s temperament had played into Russia’s hands and put the president-elect on a collision course with the CIA. He said: “Look, in my professional assessment as an intelligence officer, Trump has a reflexive, defensive,…
The alarming response to Russian meddling in American democracy – The Economist
Talk of Russian hacking puts Republicans in one last bind. Many senior figures on Capitol Hill distrust Mr Putin. But they know that grassroots conservatives see much to like in a Russian-style approach to fighting Islamic terrorism, if that means…
David Frum: Five Questions About Russia’s Election Hacking – The Atlantic
Was there coordination? Was information shared in any way, or did anyone directly or indirectly connected to the Trump campaign offer any advice to any foreign entity about where and how to hack—beyond the president-elect’s own public encouragement? What compromising…
John Schindler: Trump Declares War on the Intelligence Community – Observer
Trump, being new to Washington, doesn’t know that when you declare war on the spies, the spies always win in the end. The IC cares little if anything for partisan politics, but they will protect their turf and their reputation…