‘A critical strategic mistake’: Democrats question halt in US’ offensive cyber ops against Russia
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
US Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat, said the decision to pause offensive cyber operations against Russia was "a critical strategic mistake".
PHOTO: AFP
Follow topic:
WASHINGTON - Democratic lawmakers are demanding an explanation from the Pentagon over an order to pause offensive cyber operations against Russia
The pause in such cyber operations, which is not unusual during sensitive diplomatic initiatives, was first reported by The Record and was confirmed to Reuters by two sources familiar with the matter, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Offensive cyber operations, which disrupt or disable rivals’ computer networks, are distinct from cyber espionage, which is aimed at intercepting data.
The details of the pause have not been made public, but it has further rattled Democratic lawmakers disturbed by the Trump administration’s conciliatory approach toward Moscow.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer condemned the move.
“It is a critical strategic mistake for Donald Trump to unilaterally disarm against Putin,” Mr Schumer said on X on March 2. “The best defence is always a strong offence, and that’s true for cyber security too.”
Representative Adam Smith, the top Democrat in the House Armed Services Committee, said on March 3 that the Pentagon owed Congress an explanation, including about the scope of the order and the expected impact on US allies.
He also asked “whether any risk assessment was made in advance of the order or is currently underway as a result of the order”.
The Pentagon declined to comment. “Due to operational security concerns, we do not comment nor discuss cyber intelligence, plans, or operations,” a senior US defence official said.
Mr Trump publicly clashed with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Feb 28
After promising an immediate end to the Russia-Ukraine war during his campaign, Mr Trump has quickly reversed US policy by opening talks with Moscow over the head of Ukraine and without consulting its other Western allies.
On March 3, he condemned Mr Zelensky after the Ukrainian leader was quoted saying the end of the war was “very, very far away”.
“This is the worst statement that could have been made by Zelenskyy, and America will not put up with it for much longer
“It is what I was saying, this guy doesn’t want there to be Peace as long as he has America’s backing and, Europe, in the meeting they had with Zelenskyy, stated flatly that they cannot do the job without the US.” REUTERS
