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White House urged to get tougher on Russia despite sanctions order White House urged to get tougher on Russia despite sanctions order
(6 months later)
The White House is facing calls for a tougher response to Russian intervention in Ukraine despite taking the heat out of criticism in Congress with faster-than-expected action on visa restrictions and threats of financial sanctions against individuals it deems responsible.The White House is facing calls for a tougher response to Russian intervention in Ukraine despite taking the heat out of criticism in Congress with faster-than-expected action on visa restrictions and threats of financial sanctions against individuals it deems responsible.
Officials in Washington are treading a fine line between a reluctance among European allies to proceed too aggressively with wider economic retaliation while diplomatic talks continue, and a domestic concern that US foreign policy has already sent dangerously mixed messages to Russia.Officials in Washington are treading a fine line between a reluctance among European allies to proceed too aggressively with wider economic retaliation while diplomatic talks continue, and a domestic concern that US foreign policy has already sent dangerously mixed messages to Russia.
Just before the start of scheduled hearing of the House foreign affairs committee on Thursday, the White House announced it was placing visa restrictions on “officials and individuals” it deems responsible for the week-old occupation of Crimea. Just before the start of scheduled hearing of the House foreign affairs committee on Thursday, the White House announced it was placing visa restrictions on “officials and individuals” it deems responsible for the week-old occupation of Crimea.
It also announced an executive order that authorised potential further sanctions on “ individuals and entities” responsible for “threatening the peace, security, stability, sovereignty, or territorial integrity of Ukraine”.It also announced an executive order that authorised potential further sanctions on “ individuals and entities” responsible for “threatening the peace, security, stability, sovereignty, or territorial integrity of Ukraine”.
The moves were intended to take the sting out of pressure from Congress on the administration to act tougher.The moves were intended to take the sting out of pressure from Congress on the administration to act tougher.
Though not even the most hawkish Republicans are calling for military confrontation over the Crimea, several accuse Barack Obama of damaging US credibility by failing to follow through on earlier threats against chemical weapons use in Syria.Though not even the most hawkish Republicans are calling for military confrontation over the Crimea, several accuse Barack Obama of damaging US credibility by failing to follow through on earlier threats against chemical weapons use in Syria.
“There is a perception of a growing power vacuum around the world,” Steve Chabot, a Republican from Ohio, told the House foreign affairs committee. “In the past few weeks we have heard from the White House about ‘consequences’. It wasn’t that long ago that we heard about ‘red lines’ [in Syria]. There is a perception that the US lacks resolve.”“There is a perception of a growing power vacuum around the world,” Steve Chabot, a Republican from Ohio, told the House foreign affairs committee. “In the past few weeks we have heard from the White House about ‘consequences’. It wasn’t that long ago that we heard about ‘red lines’ [in Syria]. There is a perception that the US lacks resolve.”
Others have expressed alarm about White House proposals to cut military spending next year, a move that, if ratified by Congress, would reduce the US army to its lowest number of personnel since before world war two.Others have expressed alarm about White House proposals to cut military spending next year, a move that, if ratified by Congress, would reduce the US army to its lowest number of personnel since before world war two.
“Your timing is exquisite,” senator John McCain said sarcastically, while grilling defense secretary Chuck Hagel and General Martin Dempsey, chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, on the plans during a Senate hearing on Wednesday.“Your timing is exquisite,” senator John McCain said sarcastically, while grilling defense secretary Chuck Hagel and General Martin Dempsey, chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, on the plans during a Senate hearing on Wednesday.
For some Republicans, the combination of Russian involvement in Ukraine and Syria and uncertainties over Chinese expansion in Asia are reasons to restore US military spending closer to cold war levels.For some Republicans, the combination of Russian involvement in Ukraine and Syria and uncertainties over Chinese expansion in Asia are reasons to restore US military spending closer to cold war levels.
Congressman Mike McCaul of Texas, who recently visited Russia, suggested it was trying to reconstitute the Soviet empire. “I think we should call this an act of war,” he said during Thursday’s House hearing.Congressman Mike McCaul of Texas, who recently visited Russia, suggested it was trying to reconstitute the Soviet empire. “I think we should call this an act of war,” he said during Thursday’s House hearing.
But it is not just Obama’s political opponents who are calling for a tougher response. Brian Higgins, a Democrat from New York, told the same hearing he believed Russia’s membership of the UN security council should be revoked.But it is not just Obama’s political opponents who are calling for a tougher response. Brian Higgins, a Democrat from New York, told the same hearing he believed Russia’s membership of the UN security council should be revoked.
Ted Deutch of Florida, another Democrat, called for US sanctions against Russian officials involved in the Crimea policy to be extended to include those associated with its Syria policy too, targeting anyone “assisting the Assad regime in slaughtering its own people.”Ted Deutch of Florida, another Democrat, called for US sanctions against Russian officials involved in the Crimea policy to be extended to include those associated with its Syria policy too, targeting anyone “assisting the Assad regime in slaughtering its own people.”
Though the administration is so far resisting calls for such escalation, the tension can be seen in the response of its officials to recent public criticism.Though the administration is so far resisting calls for such escalation, the tension can be seen in the response of its officials to recent public criticism.
Daleep Singh, the deputy assistant Treasury secretary for Europe and Eurasia, who gave evidence before the House committee on sanctions, was scathing about Russian warnings of retaliation, such as dumping its holdings of US dollar reserves. “Russia does not get to decide what is a reserve currency or what US interest rates are,” he replied angrily.Daleep Singh, the deputy assistant Treasury secretary for Europe and Eurasia, who gave evidence before the House committee on sanctions, was scathing about Russian warnings of retaliation, such as dumping its holdings of US dollar reserves. “Russia does not get to decide what is a reserve currency or what US interest rates are,” he replied angrily.
But when pushed further on the potential repercussions of wider economic sanctions or disruption to European gas imports, he stressed the “co-dependence” of Russia and its trading allies.But when pushed further on the potential repercussions of wider economic sanctions or disruption to European gas imports, he stressed the “co-dependence” of Russia and its trading allies.
“Russia is a very large economy and there are interconnections, so it is important we are proportionate in our response,” said Singh.“Russia is a very large economy and there are interconnections, so it is important we are proportionate in our response,” said Singh.
Obama’s ability to calmly weigh these conflicting pressures in private is also complicated by a growing loss of political authority ahead of November’s midterm elections.Obama’s ability to calmly weigh these conflicting pressures in private is also complicated by a growing loss of political authority ahead of November’s midterm elections.
As domestic unpopularity over healthcare reform manifests itself in fresh policy u—turns and midterm jitters prompt rebellion in the Senate, the last thing the commander-in-chief needs in an election year is a reputation for losing his grip on foreign policy too.As domestic unpopularity over healthcare reform manifests itself in fresh policy u—turns and midterm jitters prompt rebellion in the Senate, the last thing the commander-in-chief needs in an election year is a reputation for losing his grip on foreign policy too.