Ted Galen Carpenter
There is an abundance of outrage in the United States about
Russia’s alleged meddling in the 2016 presidential
election. Multiple investigations are taking place, and Moscow’s
conduct was a major justification for the sanctions legislation
that Congress just passed. Some furious political figures and members of the media insist that
the Putin government’s interference constitutes an act of war. One
especially agitated House member even compared it explicitly to the
Pearl Harbor and 9/11 attacks.
Such umbrage might be more credible if the United States
refrained from engaging in similar conduct. But the historical
record shows that Washington has meddled in the political affairs
of dozens
of countries—including many democracies. …read more
Source: Cato Institute
