Twofer 051117

With an administration that appears to be flailing around without direction topics are coming faster than reasoned analysis.  Two issues requiring study came up in the same week, another expansion of the wars in Asia and the attempt to shut down an investigation of Russian attempts to influence democratic elections to its advantage.

1) U.S. policies and eventual military interventions destabilized the Middle East.  Once the "DOGS OF WAR" were unleashed the region discovered the contagion of war as diverse aspirations came in to conflict.  Arming the Kurds will be like tossing a stone into a pond as Kurdish nationalism spreads from Syria to Turkey, Iraq and Iran into parts of the former soviet republics.  Political actions by outsiders without a coherent strategy spreads conflict and ends in failure.


2) Despite denials there is little doubt that the Russians attempted to influence the 2016 U.S. election and the administration is seriously compromised.  The question is just how far does the contamination extends? The firing of the FBI director appears to be a reaction to an investigation that is getting close to the White House. 

It is interesting that the firing came shortly after Russia's Putin condemned the investigation.  Despite a meeting with Russian officials shortly after the head of the investigation was thrown out, it is doubtful that Trump is a Russian agent, he doesn't play well with others. 

It must be remembered that Trump has been attempting to expand his real estate empire into Russia for years, is there a quid pro quo for policies that favor Russian interests?  A Moscow Trump Tower and St. Petersburg golf course for the newly affluent could be a great inducement.  Even before the election Trump advocated the destruction of the European Union and NATO with positions that support Russian objectives. 

America is not alone in the Russian swamp both Britain and France have recently experienced Russian attempts to influence national elections.  Despite endorsements from both Putin and Trump the French nationalist lost the election to a candidate supporting the EU, but France is also investigating Russian attempt to influence its election.  In England an upcoming election affecting the British exit from the EU may also be a target for Russian influence hacking.

Congress must exercise its independence before it becomes a rubber stamp for policies originating in the Kremlin.  An independent investigation of global influence peddling is necessary to determine to what extent elections were influenced by hacking to insure that democratic processes are not disrupted in the future.  Investigators must be given the authority and tools to follow the case wherever the evidence leads.  The investigation must also be protected from partisan disruption; as the fox is already in the hen house.