The U.S. Senate plans to create a coordination centre for combating hybrid threats from Russia
WASHINGTON, August 4. /TASS/ — He will coordinate analytical work and policy implementation, associated in particular with the “fight against disinformation and propaganda.”
New US Senate bill provides for the establishment of a focal point for dealing with hybrid threats from Russia, as well as a special Fund, funds from which will go to Finance to counter the “Russian influence.” The regulations on the formation of these structures contains the text of the bill of the sharp tightening of us sanctions against Russia.
“A national coordinating center to develop the response to hybrid threats, which should focus mainly on threats from the authorities of the Russian Federation shall be headed by high officials of the USA”, — stated in the text of the bill.
According to the document, the center will coordinate analytical work and policy implementation in the U.S., associated with the “fight against misinformation and propaganda” and “cyberthreats and other non-traditional threats, including [interference] infrastructure, public institutions, political organizations”.
In the text of the bill refers to the establishment of the Fund, against “Russian influence”, which is planned to allocate $250 million for 2020 and 2021.
From the text of the document says that the Fund will use “the countries of Europe and Eurasia, which the state Department has identified as vulnerable to Russian influence”. It is noted that part of these funds will be allocated to Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine.
The author of the bill is democratic Senator Robert Menendez (new Jersey), co-authors are Lindsey Graham (Republican, South Carolina), John McCain (Republican, Arizona), Cory Gardner (Republican, Colorado), Ben Cardin (Democrat, Maryland), Jeanne Shaheen (Democrat, new Hampshire). They characterize their initiative as “comprehensive legislation enhancing sanctions pressure on Russia.”
The document is aimed primarily at “the imposition of mandatory sanctions under CAATSA, the use of additional” restrictive measures against Russia. CAATSA is the law “On combating the enemies of America through sanctions”, signed by President Donald trump in the summer of 2017 and introducing the various unilateral restrictions against Russia, Iran and North Korea. Legal act has significantly limited the ability of the President to cancel or reduce such penalties without the consent of the legislative branch.
As said on Friday, TASS Juan Bacon, press Secretary for Menendez, the timetable for the consideration of the bill of the sharp tightening of us sanctions against Russia are not developed, its further prospects are not yet clear. However, this document has already been submitted to the relevant Committee of the Senate of the U.S. Congress on foreign Affairs.