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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsRussia is harassing U.S. diplomats all over Europe
Russian intelligence and security services have been waging a campaign of harassment and intimidation against U.S. diplomats, embassy staff and their families in Moscow and several other European capitals that has rattled ambassadors and prompted Secretary of State John F. Kerry to ask Vladimir Putin to put a stop to it.
At a recent meeting of U.S. ambassadors from Russia and Europe in Washington, U.S. ambassadors to several European countries complained that Russian intelligence officials were constantly perpetrating acts of harassment against their diplomatic staff that ranged from the weird to the downright scary. Some of the intimidation has been routine: following diplomats or their family members, showing up at their social events uninvited or paying reporters to write negative stories about them.
But many of the recent acts of intimidation by Russian security services have crossed the line into apparent criminality. In a series of secret memos sent back to Washington, described to me by several current and former U.S. officials who have written or read them, diplomats reported that Russian intruders had broken into their homes late at night, only to rearrange the furniture or turn on all the lights and televisions, and then leave. One diplomat reported that an intruder had defecated on his living room carpet.
In Moscow, where the harassment is most pervasive, diplomats reported slashed tires and regular harassment by traffic police. Former ambassador Michael McFaul was hounded by government-paid protesters, and intelligence personnel followed his children to school. The harassment is not new; in the first term of the Obama administration, Russian intelligence personnel broke into the house of the U.S. defense attache in Moscow and killed his dog, according to multiple former officials who read the intelligence reports.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/global-opinions/russia-is-harassing-us-diplomats-all-over-europe/2016/06/26/968d1a5a-3bdf-11e6-84e8-1580c7db5275_story.html?utm_term=.dedd4ee1b9ac
This is another reason for sanctions by president Obama today!
LisaM
(27,813 posts)I don't understand what impact an eleventh-hour rebuke is going to have, now that our elections, our way of life, our democracy, are all at risk.
still_one
(92,219 posts)"According to several officials, the Senate Majority Leader, once briefed on Moscows threat, said he would consider any effort by the White House to challenge the Russians publicly an act of partisan politics.
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/12/11/obama-and-congress-knew-about-russian-hacking-and-they-did-nothing.html
It was an awful decision that the administration held that information back.
Nothing will change that, however, putting the sanction in now will happen with bipartisan support, and that is if nothing else, a direct slight, not only toward the Russians, but the trump campaign who has an extremely cozy relationship with the Russians.
LisaM
(27,813 posts)And now we are in tremendous jeopardy. What did Obama owe Mitch McConnell anyway? That guy was out to make Obama's life miserable for eight full years. What is the point of playing nice? Not only that, it essentially made Hillary's campaign a sacrificial lamb, which, I'm sorry, irks me beyond all reason.
still_one
(92,219 posts)Rollo
(2,559 posts)Time for The Dude to strike back!
doc03
(35,348 posts)offend Putin have a habit at turning up dead. The guy is a murdering thug.
roamer65
(36,745 posts)You are outta here!
Shut down their embassy and consulates completely.
madokie
(51,076 posts)its better to keep dialog going rather than shunning anyone
I think President Obama knows how best to handle this.