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It is important to remember that #Russia flirtation with the #Taliban is isnt new. In 2018, there was a little read report that State was considering adding Russia to the #SST list. Concerns regarding Russian support to the Taliban is timeless. +
Recent NYT report, however, clearly indicates that this has gone beyond playing footsie with the Taliban to incentivizing assassination of US assets in #Afghanistan. I don't believe for one second the upper echelon of the White House didnt know + https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/26/us/politics/russia-afghanistan-bounties.html
This begs the question, what should be done. The US has, frankly, few good policy options. Especially when POTUS denies he or VP Pence knew. If the U.S. is going to take strong kinetic action that could lead to a dangerous escalation but +
if it did, the safest option is response against Russian proxies - the plausible & deniable targeting the #Wagner group while it is on one of its adventures overseas is a possibility. US SOF have bloodied Wagner before: + https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/24/world/middleeast/american-commandos-russian-mercenaries-syria.html
Another option is additional targeted #sanctions against those involved in the bounties. Targeting the GRU operatives/leaders known to be involved via EO designations is the likeliest of options. It is not a proportionate response, though. +
Finally, the US could consider adding Russia to the State Sponsors of Terrorism List. The #Taliban remains designated pursuant to E.O. 13224 - and thus technically remains a Specially Designated Global Terrorist.
Russia directing the Taliban like this clearly speaks to the SST (I know this from my old job). It isnt an effective tool and we didnt even use it against the USSR in the Cold War. But it is a policy option that should be on the table for discussion. + https://www.propublica.org/article/united-states-considered-declaring-russia-a-state-sponsor-of-terror
Another easy option is to up military/foreign assistance/political support to #Ukraine in every way possible. That should be done in conjunction with one of the above noted options.
