http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-43377856
Nerve Agent Used in Russian Assassination Attempt
Summary:
Sergei Skripal defected from Russia, seeking asylum in England, due to being convicted of passing secrets to MI6 in 2004. Both he, and his 33 year old daughter were found on a bench in Salisbury. They are now both in hospital in critical condition. On closer examination, the suspected cause of the incident is Novichok, a Russian nerve agent developed in the 70s and 80s. Det Sgt Nick Bailey got sick while attending to them, and is as well quite ill. Interestingly enough, it is reported that "One variant[of Russia's chemical development program] was reportedly approved for use by the Russian military as a chemical weapon," seemingly breaching the Chemical Weapons Convention agreement. Teresa May is outraged, calling this an "unlawful use of force," and requesting an explanation from the Russian Government in the face of consequences. Vladimir on the other hand, when asked about the attack, said "Get to the bottom of things there, then we'll discuss this." Seems pretty shady Russia.
Questions:
Given Russia's history of nationally sponsored assassinations, do you think this is another state sponsored job?
Is May's response acceptable? Should she have taken harsher measures against Russia?
Is this a form of Chemical Warfare?
4 comments:
I think this is no doubt a state-sponsored assassination. But the fact that innocent civilians are now suffering is just irresponsible. May's response is acceptable as civilians are met in the crossfire. She should take harsher measures against Russia. This is a form of chemical warfare.
There is no way that this murder was anything other than a covert operation by the Kremlin. The nerve agent used in these attacks was developed and manufactured by the Soviets during the Cold War, therefore it could not have been acquired by British citizens or anyone living in the United Kingdom without help from Russian authorities. I think this is a good start for a response but it would be best if PM May went further and directly retaliated against Putin with economic sanctions that land a little closer to the Kremlin.
Of course this is chemical warfare, a nation used chemicals to carry out an attack on another nation.
I agree with both of you, in that there should be harsher measures taken by the prime minister. But both of you seem to be pretty sure that this is a state sponsored assassination. What are the chances that it is a third party using Russian weapons? Would Russia still be responsible for the attack if they indirectly killed him by selling their nerve agent?
I agree with the comments above, I definitely think this is a state-sponsored job. Russia's track record isn't great, and it seems to me that this is just too much of a coincidence to be anything else. While I personally believe May should've taken stronger action, I think she is very limited at the moment and cannot do more, no matter how much we or she might wish. Until more incriminating evidence emerges, I think she has to keep things somewhat toned down, no matter how clear it is that this was a state-sponsored job. Yes, I agree with Josh and Will, this is a form of chemical warfare.
Post a Comment