James Clapper: “This is just an opportunity to drive a wedge among us. Again, to sow doubt, discord and discontent about the advocacy of…”

It speaks to Putin's character, and his KGB background, having essentially lawless, mercenary group, a private army, responsible only to him.

I think the reason they were taken off the list was to provide an inducement or motivation for them to agree to some sort of ceasefire.

I think right now, they're assessing the administration -- that's the National Security Council specifically, is assessing the impacts of this first round of strikes.

I think this reflects Russian insecurity. And it's almost like, Putin needs a rhetorical security blanket, of making threats, like this.