WASHINGTON, Jan. 8, 2017 — The United States needs a strong but balanced approach to Russia, Defense Secretary Ash Carter said today on NBC's Meet the Press.
Carter also discussed the recent U.S. intelligence community assessment of alleged Russian activities and intentions in the November presidential election. The intelligence community did a "painstaking" and "careful" job in coming to its assessment, Carter said.
The intelligence community on Friday released a declassified assessment that alleged Russia carried out an "influence campaign" aimed at the 2016 U.S. presidential election. Those alleged actions included cyber activities against targets, according to the assessment.
The intelligence community, according to Carter, was "very clear -- they were very unequivocal about the judgement." The situation raises questions about U.S. overall strategy with respect to Russia, he said.
"It's an aggressive act against our very democracy," he said, adding, "That’s why I think all Americans need to regard it very seriously."
A U.S. response does not have to be limited to cyber, or to a military response, he explained, emphasizing the importance of trying to work with Russia "where we can."
Read more: https://www.defense.gov/News/Article/Article/1044497/carter-us-needs-strong-balanced-approach-to-russia
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