Mixed Signals to Moscow: The Trump Administration's Russia Policy Puzzle

Members Only Subscribe to read the full article

January 17th, 2017

In his first news conference since July, President-elect Donald Trump revealed he now agrees with the unanimous verdict of the U.S. intelligence community: Russia was behind the hack on the Democratic National Committee (DNC). “I think it was Russia,” he said (though he later caveated “but you know what, it could have been others also.”)

According to Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin “should not be doing it. He won’t be doing it. Russia will have much greater respect for our country when I am leading it than when other people have led it.”

“The Cipher Brief has become the most popular outlet for former intelligence officers; no media outlet is even a close second to The Cipher Brief in terms of the number of articles published by formers.” —Sept. 2018, Studies in Intelligence, Vol. 62

Access all of The Cipher Brief‘s national security-focused expert insight by becoming a Cipher Brief Subscriber+Member.

Continue Reading

Get access to all our briefs

Categorized as:InternationalTagged with:Diplomacy Putin Russia Trump

Featured Piece

Warning Signs of a More Dangerous Global Conflict

BOTTOM LINE UP FRONT — If President Joe Biden’s recent remarks in Poland and President Vladimir Putin’s in Moscow just a day later are any indication of the path forward, the February 24 anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine may represent the beginning of a new and potentially much more dangerous phase of the conflict, which is increasingly looking like a conflict between NATO and the Russian Federation.

FEB 22, 2023, BY ROB DANNENBERG

What the Experts Say

The Cipher Brief’s Open Source Report is an extraordinary product and an important daily read for situational awareness on national security issues.

General John R. Allen (Ret.) Former Commander of the NATO International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan

I’m proud to be part of the network of experts at The Cipher Brief, which provides superb geopolitical advice and intelligence insights.

Admiral James Stavridis Former Supreme Allied Commander, NATO

The in-depth analysis The Cipher Brief provides, on all issues affecting our national security, written by some of the most senior and knowledgeable public and private sector experts, is truly unique and invaluable. It’s a must read for anyone interested in world affairs.

Ambassador Joseph R. Detrani Former Director, National Counter Proliferation Center

Congratulations to The Cipher Brief for actively promoting a national conversation – through conferences, analysis, and webinars at the highest level – on our country’s national security, intelligence capabilities, and challenges in confronting adversaries and competitors alike.

Emile Nakhleh Former Member, CIA's Senior Intelligence Service

The Cipher Brief has become required reading for national security decision-makers and practitioners. You can be certain that Cipher Brief articles are substantive in content and provide thoughtful analysis from expert professionals.

John Sipher Former Member, CIA's Senior Intelligence Service

The Cipher Brief is far from just another website pontificating about the subjects of the day without any credibility. With The Cipher Brief, you can always be sure that the authors actually know what they are writing about.

Kevin Hulbert Former CIA Chief Of Station

Mixed Signals to Moscow: The Trump Administration's Russia Policy Puzzle

Continue Reading

The New Breathtaking ‘Red London’

Related Articles

The Strategic Relationship Between Russia and Iran

With the Olympic Games Done, Let the Talks with North Korea Begin

Don’t Talk to Kim if Nukes Are Off the Table

The Cipher Daily Brief

Search