I don't think the craziness of DNI Ratcliffe's letter is being properly appreciated. This action is outrageous and dangerous on so many levels. THREAD 1/. judiciary.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/…
First, the DNI released information/disinformation about an American from a foreign enemy! Why would the USG ever release information about assessments of Americans obtained from any foreign government, let alone from a hostile country? That is nuts. 2/
Second, as I know bitterly well from first-hand experience, Russian intel agents are masters at disinformation. Putin wanted to Trump to win, and Clinton to lose. Of course, they would release such disinformation. You don't need a PhD in Russian studies to figure that out. 3/
BTW, when I worked at the White House and as U.S. Ambassador to Russia, I used to say utter nonsense all the time on open lines being listened to by Russian intelligence agents. I knew they were listening, so I purposely said untrue things on the phone to confuse them. SOP. 4/
Third, what is the American national security interest being advanced by the release of this disinformation/information about 2016 a month before our presidential election in 2020? The answer -- none. 5/
And remember, the DNI has decided to NOT to release information about Russian meddling in our election right now. Voters have a right to know. But the DNI has decided otherwise. 6/
This is dangerous, folks, We cannot allow our Intelligence Community to become a propaganda instrument for a political party. 7/. END THREAD.
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"Putin made the decision to invade Ukraine. Russian society did not pressure him to do so. But since the invasion was launched, large chunks of Russian society have supported this war, including exhibiting support for or indifference to the atrocities being committed by Russian soldiers against Ukrainian civilians." 1/ THREAD
"Putin personally is not killing Ukrainian grandmothers or kidnapping Ukrainian children, Russians are—and, as we now know from intercepting phone calls, they sometimes do so with the vocal support of their fathers, mothers, and girlfriends back home (or, even more grotesquely, while vacationing in Europe)" 2/
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"Similar to other ruthless and imperialist regimes in the past, maybe we can no longer give Russian society a pass for the atrocities Russians are committing in Ukraine? It's not just Putin's war. It's Russia's war." 3/
Congress should combine in its one bill new aid to Ukraine an the REPO Act. Let me explain. THREAD 1/
Let me add a sweetener. By large majorities, the House and Senate committees recently voted in favor of the REPO Act – Rebuilding Economic Prosperity and Opportunity for Ukrainians Act – that would transfer frozen Russian assets held at American banks to Ukraine for reconstruction. 2/
European countries hold a much greater share of the Russian assets than we do, around $360 billion. But if we take the lead in appropriating these frozen Russian funds, other countries will follow. That’s real money to help fund Ukraine’s reconstruction. 3/
Advice from a realist:
“Appeasement...is a fanciful and dangerous strategy. It is unlikely to transform a dangerous foe into a kinder gentler opponent much less a peace loving state. Indeed, appeasement is likely to whet not shrink and aggressors appetite for conquest.” 1/THREAD
“Because great powers are programmed for offense, and appease state is likely to interpret any power concession by another state as a sign of weakness -- as evidence that the appeaser is unwilling to defend the balance of power the appeased state is then likely to continue pushing for more concessions.” 2/
“Furthermore, the appeased state’s capability to gain even more power would be enhanced --probably substantially -- by the additional power it was granted by the appeaser. In short, appeasement is likely to make a dangerous rival more, not less, dangerous.” 3/
In 2000, I wrote an article for @washingtonpost warning about Putin's anti-democratic ways & people called me alarmist. 1/ THREAD
In 2014, I wrote a piece in @nytimes calling from containment 2.0 for Russia and people called me a hawk. I wrote a longer piece in @ForeignAffairs a few years later outlining a detailed containment strategy for Russia & I was labeled a "warmonger". 2/
In 2021, I used the word "evil" to describe Putin in the @washingtonpost and I was again berated as a crazy ideologue. 3/
"How and when we provide this aid matters too. This week, my colleagues from allied countries lamented how indecisive and divided the United States looks, or is, as a country – how are we even not able to push through a bill that enjoys bipartisan support?" 1/ THREAD
"While our allies lament our indecision, division, and polarization, our enemies celebrate them. In Russia, they are laughing at us right now. Putin’s propagandists on state-controlled television praised Republicans for advancing Russian national interests." 2/
" As one of Putin’s most prominent propagandists, Olga Skabeeva, said, “Well done, Republicans! They’re standing firm! That’s good for us.” If Putin’s team is cheering for you, maybe it is time to rethink your actions." 3/
"Congress should approve new aid to Ukraine as fast as possible—not as a gesture of charity for Ukraine but as a hard-nosed and clear-headed investment in U.S. security objectives." THREADS 1/
"1. A Ukrainian victory will dramatically diminish the threat from Russia." 2/
"2. The war’s outcome has clear implications for U.S. security interests in Asia." 3/