Defense Secretary Ashton B. Carter lashed out at Russia on Wednesday, accusing the government of President Vladimir V. Putin of demonstrating a “clear ambition to erode” international order and warning Russia to stay out of the American elections. Speaking on Wednesday at Oxford University in England, Mr. Carter used language that evoked a time before the fall of the Berlin War, when leaders in Washington and Moscow were entrenched global adversaries. “The United States does not seek a cold, let alone a hot, war with Russia,” Mr. Carter said. “But make no mistake, we will defend our allies, the principled international order, and the positive future it affords all of us.” He also warned Moscow that Washington “will not ignore attempts to interfere with our democratic processes.” The F.B.I. is investigating whether Russia hacked into computer systems of the Democratic National Committee. Mr. Carter accused Russia of “undercutting the work and contributions of others rather than creating or making any positive contributions on its own,” and said that Moscow was sowing “instability rather than cultivating stability.”
His sharp criticism amplifies the already tense standoff between Washington and Moscow over the conflicts in Syria and Ukraine, the hacking issue, and the role of NATO, which is on Russia’s doorstep.
American intelligence officials say that there is evidence that shows Russian intelligence agencies were behind breaches of the D.N.C.’s computer systems, and that the Russians tried to gain access to the servers for other Democratic organizations. Hillary Clinton, the Democratic presidential nominee, has drawn a direct line between the suspected Russian activity and her Republican rival, Donald J. Trump.
Full Article: Defense Secretary Warns Russia to Stay Out of U.S. Elections – The New York Times.