A monthlong USA air campaign against the Islamic State in Libya has helped back the group into “a single neighborhood” in its coastal stronghold of Sirte, where an ongoing offensive seeks to dislodge the militants from their strategic foothold, Defense Secretary Ash Carter said Wednesday.
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While Carter did not specifically refer to allegations that Russian Federation hacked US political organizations like the Democratic National Committee and Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, his comments did serve as a warning to the Kremlin not to meddle in America’s democratic process.
Carter even played up the dubious allegations of Russian Federation trying to “hack the election”, even though the comments come just a couple of days after intelligence officials were conceding that there was no real evidence to support these claims, insisting the U.S. would not tolerate Russia’s “attempts to interfere with our democratic processes. But make no mistake: we will defend our allies, the principled global order, and the positive future it affords all of us”, Carter said. When the war against the Islamic State is over, “collectively we will remember who failed to show up for the fight”. “And we will not ignore attempts to interfere with our democratic processes”.
A good place to start would be for Russian Federation, an ally of Syria, to help the USA take the necessary steps to achieve a ceasefire and political transition in that country, he added. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.) in the Democratic primary, leading committee chair Rep.
His sharp criticism amplifies the already tense standoff between Washington and Moscow over the conflicts in Syria and Ukraine, the hacking issue, and the role of North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, which is on Russia’s doorstep.
Citing Russia’s violation of Ukraine’s territorial integrity, along with “unprofessional behaviour” in the air, space and cyberspace, Carter said: “Russia appears driven by misguided ambitions and misplaced fears”. It lashes out, alleging that it fears for its own viability and future, even though no nation – not the United States, not the United Kingdom – seeks to defeat it or constrain its potential.
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“That is true before the Brexit vote and it is true today after the Brexit vote”, Carter said. “Unfortunately so far, Russia, with its support for the Assad regime, has made the situation in Syria more risky, more prolonged and more violent”, Carter said.
