Graham urges US to label Russia as terrorism sponsor
Sen. Lindsey Graham Pushes for Russia to be Designated as State Sponsor of Terrorism
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) is taking a strong stance against Russia in the wake of the death of Russian dissident Alexei Navalny. Graham has called for bipartisan legislation to designate Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism, a move that would place Russia alongside countries like North Korea, Iran, Syria, and Cuba.
“Why don’t we do this — I just got off the phone with two Democratic senators. Let’s make Russia a state sponsor of terrorism under U.S. law,” Graham stated on CBS’s Face the Nation. “Let’s make them pay a price for killing Navalny.”
This designation is typically reserved for countries that have repeatedly supported acts of international terrorism, according to the State Department. If Russia were to be designated as such, it would face various restrictions, including limitations on U.S. foreign assistance and a ban on defense exports and sales.
This move would further punish Russia, which is already facing a range of U.S. sanctions due to its invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Graham did not hold back in his criticism of Russian leader Vladimir Putin, accusing him of orchestrating the killing of Navalny. Many in the U.S. and around the world share this belief.
“Navalny was one of the bravest people I ever met. When he went back to Russia, he had to know he was going to be killed by Putin, and he was murdered by Putin,” Graham passionately stated.
Last week, Russia announced that Navalny had suddenly collapsed and died while on a walk at the penal colony where he was imprisoned. This tragic event brings to mind the poisoning of Navalny in 2020, which many believe was an assassination attempt ordered by Putin. The nerve agent used in the poisoning, Novichok, has been linked to other killings and assassination attempts believed to be carried out at the Kremlin’s command.
Other public figures have also spoken out about Navalny’s death. Republican presidential contender Nikki Haley criticized former President Donald Trump for his silence on the matter.
“It’s actually pretty amazing … the fact that he won’t acknowledge anything with Navalny,” Haley expressed on ABC’s This Week. “Either he sides with Putin and thinks it’s cool that Putin killed one of his political opponents, or he just doesn’t think it’s that big of a deal.”
It remains to be seen how the push to designate Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism will progress, but Graham’s determination to hold Russia accountable for Navalny’s death is clear.
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What are the potential implications for a country designated as a state sponsor of terrorism in terms of its relations with the United States and other countries?
Designated as a state sponsor of terrorism, it would have severe implications for its relations with the United States and other countries around the world.
The push to designate Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism comes after the poisoning and subsequent death of Russian dissident Alexei Navalny. Navalny, a prominent critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin, was poisoned with a nerve agent last year and subsequently died while seeking medical treatment in Germany. The incident, widely believed to be carried out by Russian intelligence agents, has drawn condemnation from the international community.
Senator Graham believes that classifying Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism is a necessary step to hold them accountable for their actions. He argues that the use of a banned nerve agent to target a political opponent is an act of terrorism, and Russia should face the consequences accordingly. By designating Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism, the United States would be able to impose stricter sanctions and take other measures to penalize the country for its actions.
However, the proposal to designate Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism is not without controversy. Some argue that this move could have unintended consequences and further strain relations between the United States and Russia. They argue that it could be counterproductive to designate Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism, as it could push the country further into isolation and make it less likely to cooperate on key issues such as nuclear arms control and counter-terrorism efforts.
Additionally, there is also debate over whether Russia meets the criteria for being designated as a state sponsor of terrorism. The designation is typically reserved for countries that have provided support to terrorist groups. While Russia has been accused of supporting separatist movements in Ukraine and Syria, some argue that this does not meet the threshold for being labeled a state sponsor of terrorism.
Despite these concerns, Senator Graham’s push for Russia to be designated as a state sponsor of terrorism highlights the continued tensions between the two countries. Relations between the United States and Russia have been strained for years, with disagreements over issues such as election interference, human rights, and military aggression. Adding Russia to the list of state sponsors of terrorism would send a clear message that the United States will not tolerate actions that threaten global security and stability.
It remains to be seen whether Senator Graham’s proposal will gain traction among his colleagues in Congress. As with any legislative effort, there will likely be extensive debate and negotiation before any action is taken. However, the push to hold Russia accountable for its actions and prevent further acts of international terrorism is an important one, and it is a conversation that the United States and its allies must continue to have.
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