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Dead Drop: July 21

Dead Drop: July 21

NEXT SHOE TO DROP – GIVING U.S. SPIES THE BOOT? Back in December, when the Obama administration threw 35 alleged Russian intelligence officials out of the U.S. (and shut down Russian compounds in Maryland and New York), a tit-for-tat response seemed inevitable.  But Vladimir Putin elected not to immediately respond – winning him praise from President-elect Trump.   Perhaps the Russians were expecting the Trump administration to quickly return the keys to those “recreational” compounds and allow replacement “diplomats” to take up residences in the U.S.  But since circumstances have not permitted that, the Russian foreign ministry is sending signals that their patience is running thin.  The website IntelligencePost points out that Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, says there are “too many” U.S. intelligence agents in the American Embassy in Moscow. Her boss, Sergey Lavrov, says the seizure of the diplomatic compounds was “outrageous” adding, “We are thinking about particular steps now. I do not believe this should be discussed in public, with all respect for the mass media.”

FLASH GORDON:  On Wednesday, the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence held a confirmation hearing (video here) for Sue Gordon to be the next Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence (PDDNI). As part of the proceedings,  Vice Chairman Senator Mark Warner (D- VA) introduced into the Congressional Record a column about Gordon, by The Cipher Brief publisher and CEO Suzanne Kelly. Warner noted that the column contained a “whole series of wonderful compliments" from people who have worked with Gordon as well as the great expectations being placed on her if she is confirmed into the new role. The nomination of Gordon, who played basketball at Duke, is considered a slam dunk.

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