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US Presidential Elections & Russian Tampering

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November 28, 2017

Why in news?

There is an ongoing investigations on Russian involvement to tamper the American Presidential elections.

How did the case unfold?

  • The Controvesy - First signs of Russian complicity in hacking the emails of Hillary came when Mr. Trump began to speak of friendly relations with Russia.
  • The situation snowballed into a crisis post-election, and Mr.Trump faces charges of colluding with a foreign government to rig the election in his favour.
  • Notably, former Presidents Richard Nixon and Bill Clinton faced similar charges in the impeachment proceedings against them.
  • Investigation - The investigation began with the appointment of Robert Mueller, as Special Counsel by the Justice Department.
  • Also two Congressional committees were constituted for the same.
  • Evidence is mounting that Mr. Trump’s camp colluded with the Russians to gather information about Ms. Clinton.
  • The allegation is that Mr.Trump’s close aides met with several other Russians during the campaign trail.
  • Based on these initial leads, Mr.Trump’s campaign chairman, Mr. Paul Manafort became the first Republican to be accused.

What is the impact on bilateral ties?

  • As the Special Prosecutor closes in on the President, U.S.-Russia relations are on a downward spiral.
  • The U.S. sanctions against Russia, tensions in Syria & Korean Peninsula, and the stalemate over Ukraine are problems that defy solutions.
  • Mr.Putin recently deplored what he termed an “unprecedented” anti-Russia campaign in the U.S.
  • As Russian diplomatic facilities were closed and Russia media has been stifled by US authorities, Putin has promised a symmetrical counter response.

How does the future look?

  • Russia probably did meddled in the U.S. elections.
  • But even if the Mueller investigation throws up evidence, the President might turn out to be not guilty.
  • As it is highly improbable to pin the investigations directly down till the president, an impeachment is not likely on this account.
  • But the shadow such evidence casts on elections in the U.S. and U.S.-Russia relations will be dark and deep.

 

Source: The Hindu

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