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Republican senators are castigating the Biden administration’s refusal to provide fighter jets to Ukraine, expressing skepticism that such a transfer might escalate tensions between the USA and Russia.
A number of members of the Senate Intelligence Committee referred to as the administration throughout a Thursday listening to, sad with what intelligence officers have been saying.
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Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., famous that based on U.S. intelligence in January, Russia didn’t need “a direct battle with the USA.” Cotton doubted that will have modified, given the troublesome invasion of Ukraine by the Russian military.
“Do you suppose they’re extra more likely to need a battle now, after Vladimir Putin has seen the efficiency of his military?” Cotton requested Director of Nationwide Intelligence Avril Haines. “Do you suppose they’re extra more likely to need a piece of us now than they have been two months in the past?”
Director of Nationwide Intelligence Avril Haines seems earlier than the Senate Intelligence Committee for a listening to on Capitol Hill, Thursday, March 10, 2022.
(AP Picture/J. Scott Applewhite)
Haines mentioned it’s not about Russia wanting a battle, it’s about seeing the USA as “being on this battle.”
Cotton was unconvinced, arguing that it seems Putin “dissuaded” the Biden administration by claiming that transporting planes can be an escalation.
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“And if that’s going to be our place, we’d as nicely name the commanding common at Fort Lewis outdoors of Seattle and inform him to decrease the flag and abandon our place,” Cotton mentioned, saying Putin doesn’t swear. gained’t cease in Ukraine and even Europe, however will go “all the best way to the West Coast”, if the US backs down each time it points a risk.
Senator Tom Cotton listens to testimony from intelligence group leaders throughout a Senate listening to on March 10, 2022 in Washington, D.C.
(Kevin Dietsch/Getty Photos)
Cotton had requested particular new data that will assist the administration’s place, however given the delicate nature of the knowledge, Haines provided written supplies as a substitute.
Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., shared Cotton’s skepticism, however selected to avoid wasting his questions for a closed session the place witnesses might converse extra freely. He weighed in on the matter, nevertheless, after calling Cotton’s questions a very powerful a part of the listening to to this point.
“Vladimir Putin will settle for the concept we might deter one another each time he points a press launch. I actually imagine that,” Sasse mentioned. “I feel the administration is pushing the intelligence group to offer them cowl for the superior choices they don’t need to make.”
FBI Director Christopher Wray, left, Nationwide Safety Company Director Common Paul Nakasone and Director of Nationwide Intelligence Avril Haines testify earlier than the Senate Intelligence Committee on March 10, 2022 in Washington.
(Kevin Dietsch/Getty Photos)
Sen. Richard Burr, RN.C., additionally drew inspiration from Cotton and questioned the logic behind the administration’s decision-making. Burr famous that the USA and Poland are a part of NATO, so it’s curious that the USA gave Poland a “inexperienced gentle” to switch planes to Ukraine, however “modified its thoughts” when planes should come from US geography.
“I come to this conclusion: This can be a political choice,” Burr mentioned, noting that intelligence and politics are often separated.
Republican Sens (L to R) Tom Cotton, John Cornyn and Ben Sasse take heed to testimony from intelligence group leaders throughout a Senate listening to on March 10, 2022 in Washington, D.C.
(Kevin Dietsch/Getty Photos)
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“My hope is that we haven’t, as an intelligence group, put our finger on the magnitude of a political choice that has been made,” Burr mentioned.
In response, Haines mentioned she doesn’t imagine there’s “political strain” being exerted on intelligence analysts.
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