James Clapper: “No, in fact, just the opposite. I was trying to delineate, I think I said it, a spy, particularly in this context, is a…”

This is quite different. And, you know, shocking, stunning, but not surprising, a phrase that we often find ourselves using about revelations of abuse of power by the Trump administration.

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

It's inconceivable to me that the Russian intelligence services aren't aware of this, and that Putin has certainly at least acquiesced if not directed -- directing it.