Skripal’s riddle

US President Donald Trump dismissed Rex Tillerson from the post of Secretary of State of the United States, which he had to learn from Twitter. He will be replaced by the head of American intelligence Mike Pompeo known for his hawkish policy – writes Wojciech Jakóbik, editor-in-chief of BiznesAlert.pl.

Mike Pompeo has been the head of the CIA. Previously he proved himself in business and for many years he was a senator of the conservative state of Kansas. Israeli Haaretz indicates that Pompeo was radical in assessing the betrayal of the contractor of another American service, NSA – Edward Snowden. For collecting documents that later went to WikiLeaks and harmed the US image, the current head of intelligence proposed a death penalty for Snowden. On the other hand, he opposed the thesis that the Russians were in favor of interference in the US elections.

This may be evidence of sensitivity to relations with Russia, but also for caution. Without evidence, the Americans could lose credibility in the dispute with the regime of Vladimir Putin. Now, however, they appeared. We are also dealing with the acceleration of dynamics in the West’s relations with the Russians after the assassination of Sergei Skripal, a former agent of the Russian special services who fled to Great Britain. London accuses the Russians for doing it. As a response, another emigrant from Russia on the Isles, Nikolai Glushkov, who was found dead at home on 13 March, is lost.

All this is happening on the eve of the presidential elections in Russia, the outcome of which is already known. Some observers indicate that the pre-election period is the last moment for the decisive action of the West towards Russia. The second chance will be the world cup. In both periods, the Kremlin regime will be sensitive to actions that hinder its credibility. Then it can consolidate and continue its aggressive policy. Do the murders in the UK have to discourage determination?

In this light, Pompeo’s appointment as secretary of state can be interpreted as a special mission. It is not known exactly what it would consist of. Although his predecessor Rex Tillerson consistently defended the current regime of sanctions against Russia, he did not promote the introduction of new restrictions, pushing for the coordination of policy with allies in Europe. When the US Senate proposed sanctions against the Nord Stream 2 project, there was lamentation in Austria and Germany, which have a protective umbrella over it in the European Union. Will Pompeo break this impasse? Or maybe it is about continuing the policy of customs duties on steel criticized in Europe. Pompeo can unite the West against Russia or share it with an economic dispute. Regardless, you can see that the Cold War is coming back for good. Murders and intrigues of Russia do not allow the West to sleep peacefully.