Ever since the U.S. election back in November, America – particularly the Democrats and the security establishment – has been having paroxysms over Russia‘s alleged interference in the results via the release of hacked Democratic National Conference emails.
Now, it’s come to a head. The U.S. government has issued a series of sanctions against Russia for what they describe as “aggressive harassment” of officials and their alleged involvement in the hack. 35 Russian diplomats have been expelled from the country, and two compounds closed down.
A US official speaking anonymously said that the diplomats have 72 hours to get out of the country.
“All Americans should be alarmed at Russia’s actions,” Barack Obama said in a statement issued from Hawaii where he is currently on holidays.
Read the statement by @POTUS on U.S. actions in response to Russian malicious cyber activity and harassment:https://t.co/4IO178lrkW pic.twitter.com/nRBYmhyNVz
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) December 29, 2016
“We believe these steps are important because Russia is not going to stop,” a White House spokesman said after the announcements. “We have every indication that they will interfere in democratic elections in other countries, including some of our European allies”.
This Russia business isn’t going to go away fast. Trump has gone on the record saying the whole matter should be put to rest, but senior Republicans from the old Cold War section of the party are very much keen to back Obama on this and keep the ball rolling.
No doubt it will be of the bigger parts of Trump’s presidency.
Source: Sydney Morning Herald.
Photo: Getty Images.
