It would be easy for some to say that the allegations of Russian interference in the American presidential election are only a domestic matter, this is not so. President #Donald Trump must understand that the results of the investigations will have major effects on his foreign policy for his entire Presidency.
Russia
When talking about Russia, we must remember that it is the world’s second superpower and America’s greatest opponent on the world stage. In recent times Vladimir Putin’s secret services and armed forces have been involved in increasing activities in various parts of the world.
The Russian intervention in Syria against ISIS was a major surprise for all, but more than a battle against the so-called Islamic State, it was in support of its ally Bashar al-Assad and his regime.
The conflict between Russia and the Ukraine not only caused the downing of a Malaysian Airlines jet with 298 people aboard, but also led to Russia’s annexation of Crimea and continuing armed conflicts that never finished despite the international sanctions against Moscow.
New fears
As reported in the New York Times and other major newspapers, in recent weeks the presence of Russian troops for drills near the Serbia-Kosovo border raised fears that the region may once more become a battlefield. Sadly the recent incidents at the border have raised memories of Tsarist Russia’s Pan-Slavism that was one of the contributory factors of the Great War.
The news that Sweden is considering returning to compulsory military service to ensure that its army is at full strength is proof of the worries of increased Russian aggression by neighbouring countries and not only those such as Bulgaria that were once part of the Soviet controlled Warsaw Pact.
During his recent first visit to Europe as Secretary of State Rex Tillerson was told by NATO leaders of their worries in regards to Russia’s activities and their worries of interference in the national elections in France and Germany this year.
Investigations
Thus the world is watching with more than passing interest the developments in the United States regarding the allegations of Russian interference in the recent presidential election in favour of the eventual winner Donald Trump.
America’s allies are not only in the front line against the Russian bear, but they also design their individual foreign policies to be in line with America’s international agenda.
So it is easy to understand the discomfort of many traditional allies in the developments regarding the man who now sits in the Oval Office.
Americans who follow the news on the social media and particularly Facebook know the high level of interest in all matters of American politics. The interest is not simple curiosity, but because what happens in Washington often has direct, often immediate impact in other countries.
The intelligence community understands these international worries and why the priority must be to address and the resolve the allegations. The CIA, FBI and other intelligence bodies are in constant contact and cooperate with allied agencies, so doubts about the election result would also have effects on these vital working relationships.
In every way the whole world is watching developments in the Russian hacking scandal, but not all do so because they are America’s allies. That is the bitter truth behind the allegations.
The Oval Office would do well to remember this truth because every comment coming from there, whether official, or by tweet will be analyzed by everyone, friend and foe.
