Could The Cia Assassinate Putin?
The recent US intelligence community report released on January 6, 2017 detailing alleged Russian interference in the 2016 US presidential election has brought up the delicate issue of cyber-warfare and revenge. Not since the time of Cold War have questions been raised by many prominent world leaders about whether the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) could target Russian President Vladimir Putin in order to avenge the role of Russia in the US election. With the tensions between president-elect Donald Trump and Putin running high and the probability of a possible diplomatic conflict, some people believe that the CIA could still target Putin to weaken Russia’s power.
The first thing to consider is that carrying out a mission to assassinate Putin is a logical impossibility. Putin has an immense security network protecting him at all times, meaning that reaching him without being detected is virtually impossible. In addition to this, Putin himself is a intelligent and experienced leader who has managed to avoid any assassination attempts against him up to this point in time as well as thwarting off any planned operations against Russia.
Political commentators from all over the world have weighed in on the issue, with the majority of people agreeing that assassinating Putin would not be a beneficial move for the US or the rest of the world. Richard Spencer of the International Institute for Strategic Studies suggested in an interview that beyond the moral implications, such an action could also be damaging to US diplomatic relations and unfair to all Russian citizens. This way of thinking has been echoed by a number of other prominent figures in the US and has been seen as the more logical and sensible opinion on the matter.
It would be fair to say that focusing on future cooperation and diplomatic solutions is the more productive approach to the situation rather than resorting to efforts that could produce results with unwelcome consequences. any actions taken would have to first pass through President Donald Trump, who has generally taken an amicable stance against Russia. This has been met with criticism by some, with 51 Republican senators calling for a stronger stance and more aggressive actions against Russia in the wake of the presidential election. However, President Trump is unlikely to resort to violent options even if he did wanted to.
The reality is that until the security measures that protect Putin are lessened, the CIA would have no chance of succeeding in an assassination attempt against him. This is unlikely to change any time soon and the act of assassinating Putin can more safely be considered impossible and a moot point for the time being. For the sake of world peace, the only viable solution is for the US and Russia to cooperate diplomatically to prevent any possible conflicts from arising over the next few years.
Stopping Cyber Warfare
The main goal of the US government is to prevent any more cyber warfare from occurring, especially ahead of the 2018 US midterm elections. This can be done by instilling tougher regulations and policies to stop foreign powers from tampering with the election, as well as addressing cybersecurity vulnerabilities that can be exploited by malicious entities in the future. Collaboration between the US and Russia to share intelligence is also a viable path forward.
Furthermore, President Trump should seek to create an international cybersecurity unit that will respond to and investigate cyber-attacks as they occur. This unit should also work with other countries to ensure that cyber laws are enforced and cybersecurity vulnerabilities are addressed. Likewise, the US should be proactive in its efforts to reduce the risk of malicious actors attempting to conduct cyber warfare operations in the future. To do so, the US should formulate strategies that actively seek out the source of cyber-attacks and clamp down on its perpetrators.
Equally important is the implementation of defensive systems that are capable of detecting and blocking malicious elements from infiltrating US networks. In addition, the US government should consider increasing its budget for cyber warfare defense. Improved training and educational initiatives could also be put in place so that the US is better prepared to respond to cyber-attacks in the event of a large-scale attack against US networks.
Finally, it is important for other countries to take a tougher stance against possible threats to their networks and data. Nations should focus on improving their own security by adopting better practices in the cybersecurity field and not simply rely on the US or another ally to protect them from cyber-related attacks. By strengthening their security postures, other countries can provide an additional layer of defense from any potential cyber warfare attacks.
What Is The Impact of Targeting Putin
There is a great deal of debate about whether the US should contemplate targeting Putin and disregarding international law and the principles of morality. If a mission to assassinate Putin was attempted, it would signify an act with numerous potential implications. Primarily, the US would be engaging in extra-judicial killing and violating international law. Such a move would be highly unpopular among other international powers, as it would represent a disregard for international norms.
In addition, such a move would be a direct provocation of Russia. This could open the door to a dangerous deterioration in US-Russian relations and could even cause an act of war. Moreover, depending on the actions taken by Russia, it may lead to an increase in global tensions, which could result in other countries joining sides or sending troops to the region. This could lead to a broader conflict that no one is interested in.
In addition to the potential legal implications and increased military tensions, assassinating Putin would set a dangerous international precedent that would be incredibly hard to control or manage. This precedent could lay out a possible path for other nations to attempt similar operations against individuals that their governments disagree with, resulting in a world where political assassinations become normalized. This could lead to increased levels of political violence across the globe.
Should US Follow A Legal Option?
There is a general consensus among international powers that all nations must observe the same set of laws and norms to ensure peace and stability. This is why carrying out a mission to assassinate Putin is considered a bridge too far and was rejected by President Donald Trump. Assassination would be illegal and would not be suitable in this particular situation.
In the present circumstances, the best course of action appears to be the pursuit of diplomatic solutions that address the problems without the need for violence or any illegal actions. This is why President Trump sent a message to the world leaders in Davos that the US is willing to work and cooperate with Russia to find a resolution to the ongoing issues. He also expressed that the US and Russia have common interests, particularly in the Middle East and Asia, and that these interests could be a basis for cooperation.
Similarly, the US could attempt to engage Putin in discussions as a sign of respect to the Russian leader but also in an effort to understand the Russian point of view. While it is unlikely that the US and Russia will ever have a close relationship, engaging in talks could give both countries a better understanding of the other’s outlook, leading to possible future cooperation.
Implications Of An Assassination Attempt
Aside from the legal implications, an assassination attempt against Putin would also have far-reaching geopolitical implications. An attempted assassination of the Russian President would affect the entire world, and it could even lead to a major international conflict. There could be severe economic repercussions, with countries around the world having to suffer due to the increased mistrust and the lack of stability in the region.
The US economy could also be majorly affected, particularly if the US enters a conflict with Russia. Similarly, the US could suffer significant diplomatic fallout with other countries as well, particularly if the assassination turns into an international incident. This could lead to further instability in the region and could make a diplomatic resolution more difficult.
The US should also consider the possibility that a sponsored assassination attempt against Putin could backfire and result in a serious escalation in tensions between the US and Russia. An assassination could be seen as a blatant sign of aggression, and Russia would likely respond with retaliatory measures. This could lead to a deterioration of US-Russia relations and potentially to a more destabilized global situation.
Conclusion
It would appear that the US should pursue diplomatic rather than military solutions to the many issues at hand. The CIA is not likely to succeed in an assassination attempt against Putin and any attempt would come with tremendous legal and diplomatic consequences. For the sake of world peace, President Donald Trump should take the lead in finding a resolution to the problem and ensure that the US and Russia cooperate rather than confront each other.
