INTELLIGENCE/RUSSIA/SANCTIONS/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “The U.S. unveiled a new series of sanctions on Moscow over a nerve-agent attack on a former Russian spy and his daughter in the U.K., in a rare direct confrontation that could escalate into a broad series of diplomatic and economic measures between the two countries. The U.S. announcement Wednesday [8-8-18] included an additional threat to follow through with a second round of measures in 90 days’ time if Russia doesn’t meet a list of three criteria. The move marked an escalation in U.S. efforts to punish the Kremlin, which already is under a U.S. sanctions regime for its 2014 invasion of Crimea. President Trump has been criticized by Republicans and Democrats in Congress for not standing up to President Vladimir Putin of Russia over a host of issues, including alleged Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. Mr. Trump has said he would be tough on Russia but also favors good relations, although his room to maneuver may be hemmed in by the new sanctions. The sanctions were triggered by a U.S. intelligence conclusion that Russia had used a nerve agent in the U.K. poisoning, State Department officials said. U.K. authorities said it was highly likely Moscow was responsible for the March attack on Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia.”
-Jessica Donati and Courtney McBride, “U.S. to Impose New Sanctions on Russia Over Nerve-Agent Attack in U.K.,” The Wall Street Journal, August 9, 2018 11:15 am