This Is What Happens When You Paint Yourself Into a Corner

The Obama administration on Thursday announced its retaliation for what US intelligence services believe to be Russian efforts to interfere with the US presidential election, ordering sweeping new sanctions that included the expulsion of 35 Russians and the closure of two Russian compounds in the US.

[...]

“I have issued an executive order that provides additional authority for responding to certain cyber activity that seeks to interfere with or undermine our election processes and institutions, or those of our allies or partners,” Obama said in the statement, released while he vacations with his family in Hawaii.

“Using this new authority, I have sanctioned nine entities and individuals: the GRU and the FSB, two Russian intelligence services; four individual officers of the GRU; and three companies that provided material support to the GRU’s cyber operations.

Obama added that more actions would be taken, “some of which will not be publicized”.

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In Moscow, a Putin spokesman said Russia regretted the new sanctions and would consider retaliatory measures.

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On Capitol Hill, Democrats applauded the president’s action, called for further measures and emphasized bipartisan support for a thorough investigation into Russian hacking.

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“While today’s action by the administration is overdue,” House speaker Paul Ryan said in a statement, “it is an appropriate way to end eight years of failed policy with Russia. And it serves as a prime example of this administration’s ineffective foreign policy that has left America weaker in the eyes of the world.”

  Guardian

Are we not putting the cart before the horse? First come sanctions, then comes the thorough investigation?

Seems to be the new American guideline for foreign policy.

...but hey, do what you want...you will anyway.