U.S. urged to get tough on Russia over Snowden
WASHINGTON/MOSCOW – Russia’s granting of temporary asylum to former U.S. National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden against Washington’s wishes unleashed calls from members of both parties Thursday for President Barack Obama to take a harder line against his counterpart, Vladimir Putin.
Republican senators including John McCain of Arizona and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina called the decision “a slap in the face of all Americans.” They urged tighter limits on U.S. entry and banking access for Russian officials and called for the Obama administration to alter its missile-defense policy to stop accommodating Russian concerns.
“Any time our president is seen to be disrespected, it’s not good,” Graham said in an interview. “Our foreign policy is not working. This is an example of it not working.”
Russia’s move, made without warning the U.S. beforehand, left White House officials assessing the domestic political damage as well as its impact on ties with Putin’s government. Some political analysts said Obama is in a no-win situation. If Snowden is not returned to the U.S., the president risks looking weak. If he’s extradited back home, it would make Obama’s domestic surveillance program a bigger issue in next year’s mid-term elections.
more..http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/08/02/world/u-s-urged-to-get-tough-on-russia-over-snowden/#.UfvytaxELbo
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"Get tough with Russia," like this?
