General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsU.S. urged to get tough on Russia over Snowden
WASHINGTON/MOSCOW Russias granting of temporary asylum to former U.S. National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden against Washingtons wishes unleashed calls from members of both parties Thursday for President Barack Obama to take a harder line against his counterpart, Vladimir Putin.
Republican senators including John McCain of Arizona and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina called the decision a slap in the face of all Americans. They urged tighter limits on U.S. entry and banking access for Russian officials and called for the Obama administration to alter its missile-defense policy to stop accommodating Russian concerns.
Any time our president is seen to be disrespected, its not good, Graham said in an interview. Our foreign policy is not working. This is an example of it not working.
Russias move, made without warning the U.S. beforehand, left White House officials assessing the domestic political damage as well as its impact on ties with Putins government. Some political analysts said Obama is in a no-win situation. If Snowden is not returned to the U.S., the president risks looking weak. If hes extradited back home, it would make Obamas domestic surveillance program a bigger issue in next years mid-term elections.
more..http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/08/02/world/u-s-urged-to-get-tough-on-russia-over-snowden/#.UfvytaxELbo
msongs
(67,199 posts)leveymg
(36,418 posts)"Get tough with Russia," like this?
frylock
(34,825 posts)you have got to be effing essing me! did graham say this with a straight face?!