A long list of fmr national security staff, diplomats, analysts and other pundits calling for a review of US foreign policy toward #Russia. I do have a few thoughts too. 1/ https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2020/08/05/open-letter-russia-policy-391434

The 6 proposed points say not a word about Russian people or civil society. Russian government will not change solely through external pressure and reorientation of foreign policies around it. The change has to come mostly within. Amplifying civic voices is absolutely critical 2/

While I agree on ensuring full diplomatic relations, people 2 people diplomacy has been severely undervalued in recent years. It is time to restore educational, professional, and cultural exchange opportunities, whether in agreement with Ru govt or unilaterally 3/

US sanctions don't work and yet they do work. The key is to ensure that harboring #humanrights abusers, condoning impunity, #kleptocracy, and disregard of int'l law becomes too costly for Ru govt officials. The sanction mechanisms must be clearer, simpler & easier to enforce 4/

Ru gov't steadfast leadership on expanding the autocratic playbook must be curbed. What Ru govt does inside the country matters A LOT - authoritarian measures get tested domestically and, without any backlash, get eagerly exported worldwide, including in the US 5/

That's why it is crucial to vehemently press Ru govt for abolition of the draconian laws on "foreign agents," "undesirable organizations," broadly-interpreted anti-extremism laws and other regulations curbing fundamental freedoms and rights 6/

Finally, before reviewing policy toward Russian govt, USG must look in its own back yard. As authoritarian practices are already being readily deployed here, the US is quickly losing moral authority to engage with any other country on democracy principles 7/7