Cheney: Russia's Efforts To Sway U.S. Election Could Be 'An Act Of War’
- 7 years ago
Former Vice President Dick Cheney has said that Russia’s efforts to sway the recent U.S. presidential election could be viewed by some as “an act of war.”
Former Vice President Dick Cheney has said that Russia’s efforts to sway the recent U.S. presidential election could be viewed by some as “an act of war.”
He made the comments during a part of his speech at the Economic Times' Global Business Summit Monday where he talked about Russian President Vladimir Putin’s “cyber warfare, cyberattacks on the United States.”
Cheney told the audience, “There’s no question...there was a very serious effort made by Mr. Putin and his government, his organization, to interfere in major ways with our basic fundamental democratic processes. In some quarters, that would be considered an act of war.”
He added, “I think it’s a kind of conduct and activity we’ll see going forward. We know he’s attempted it previously in other states in the Baltics….I would not underestimate the weight that we as Americans assign to the Russian attempts to interfere with our internal political processes.”
Some Democratic lawmakers have also described Russia’s activities as a form of warfare, particularly after FBI Director James Comey admitted that the bureau was investigating ties between the country and associates of President Trump, notes The Hill.
For instance, California Representative Jackie Speier said recently about Russia, “I actually think that their engagement was an act of war, an act of hybrid warfare, and I think that’s why the American people should be concerned about it.”
However, cyber expert Michael Schmitt told the Washington Post that Russia’s meddling in the 2016 presidential election would likely not be considered an act of war. Schmitt said it “is not an initiation of armed conflict. It’s not a violation of the U.N. Charter’s prohibition on the use of force. It’s not a situation that would allow the U.S. to respond in self-defense militarily.”
Former Vice President Dick Cheney has said that Russia’s efforts to sway the recent U.S. presidential election could be viewed by some as “an act of war.”
He made the comments during a part of his speech at the Economic Times' Global Business Summit Monday where he talked about Russian President Vladimir Putin’s “cyber warfare, cyberattacks on the United States.”
Cheney told the audience, “There’s no question...there was a very serious effort made by Mr. Putin and his government, his organization, to interfere in major ways with our basic fundamental democratic processes. In some quarters, that would be considered an act of war.”
He added, “I think it’s a kind of conduct and activity we’ll see going forward. We know he’s attempted it previously in other states in the Baltics….I would not underestimate the weight that we as Americans assign to the Russian attempts to interfere with our internal political processes.”
Some Democratic lawmakers have also described Russia’s activities as a form of warfare, particularly after FBI Director James Comey admitted that the bureau was investigating ties between the country and associates of President Trump, notes The Hill.
For instance, California Representative Jackie Speier said recently about Russia, “I actually think that their engagement was an act of war, an act of hybrid warfare, and I think that’s why the American people should be concerned about it.”
However, cyber expert Michael Schmitt told the Washington Post that Russia’s meddling in the 2016 presidential election would likely not be considered an act of war. Schmitt said it “is not an initiation of armed conflict. It’s not a violation of the U.N. Charter’s prohibition on the use of force. It’s not a situation that would allow the U.S. to respond in self-defense militarily.”