RUSSIAN INTERFERENCE IN 2016 US ELECTION & SPIN-OFF INVESTIGATIONS

[HairOfTheDog]

Four sources said the sanctions would be imposed under the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act, also known as CAATSA, which was passed by Republicans and Democrats seeking to punish Russia for its 2014 annexation of Crimea from Ukraine, involvement in the Syrian civil war and meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.

I was listening to a conversation about this and it gave me pause because apparently imposing something is quite different than enforcing something. It sounds good and would appease a ton of people but it's pretty much worthless much in the same way kicking out the Russians was worthless because they are allowed to send 60 back in.

To me, it's more than just shallow appeasement; it's a long overdue message and warning to the Russian leadership about their disruption operations across the globe.

I believe that the sanctions and bans of Russian oligarchs were pushed by leaders in our U.S. national security, the governments of our allies, and through pressure from the U.N.

If Trump were to oppose all of them at this point in the Russia investigation, it would be very bad optics for him. That's likely why he finally approved punitive action against Russian operatives and no longer denies Russian intervention occurred in the 2016 election, in my opinion.

I don't believe that the Russians who've been sanctioned and banned from entering the country are ones who could be readily replaced by newbies. They've got major financial and time investments in the U.S., they've infiltrated the NRA leadership, they've developed relationships and contacts within congress, they've met with members of the Trump family... They're people who have spent many years developing relationships and sidling their way into powerful political circles to advance Putin's agenda.

So, I think the sanctions and bans are a major public hit to Putin and his close associates, which is a good thing for the U.S. and our allies. I hope so anyway.