US navy reveals it could’t corroborate NYT’s story on Russian bounties to Taliban – months after vowing to get to backside of it

After two months of digging for proof that Russia’s authorities paid bounties to Taliban forces to kill American forces in Afghanistan, as reported by the New York Instances, the US navy has discovered no corroboration.

“It simply has not been proved to a degree of certainty that satisfies me,” Basic Frank McKenzie, the commander who oversees US troops in Afghanistan, reportedly advised NBC Information on Monday. Investigators proceed to look into the matter, he stated.

The investigation already has reviewed intelligence regarding each assault on US troops in Afghanistan up to now a number of years, and none has been tied to Russian incentive funds. “I simply have not seen something that closes that hole but,” McKenzie stated.

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The New York Instances reported the bounty allegation again in June, citing unidentified intelligence sources. Media retailers and Democrat politicians attacked President Donald Trump for failing to punish Russia over the alleged bounties, however Trump and named intelligence and navy officers have stated that the data had not been validated and was strong sufficient to make use of as a foundation to take motion towards Moscow.

Paradoxically, even after NBC’s report confirmed the navy had no proof to again up the bounty story, Democrat Senator Tammy Duckworth tweeted that Trump has gone 80 days with out condemning Putin for the alleged funds. “That is unforgivable,” she stated.

Journalist Glenn Greenwald famous the irony, suggesting that the media will persist with scolding Trump for failing to behave on allegations that might be false. “Two tweets from immediately,” Greenwald stated on a message displaying the Duckworth tweet and NBC’s tweet concerning the absence of proof. “I ponder which one shall be unfold additional.” He added, “Corroboration is boring.”

Two tweets from immediately. I ponder which shall be unfold additional???? pic.twitter.com/y3NCBGmtoR

— Glenn Greenwald (@ggreenwald) September 14, 2020

The unproven bounty story was a lifeline of types for critics who wished to maintain the Russiagate saga alive after particular counsel Robert Mueller’s staff of investigators failed to seek out proof that the Trump marketing campaign colluded with the Kremlin to win the 2016 election. As Greenwald identified, the declare additionally was a “main argument” utilized by pro-war members of Congress to hinder Trump’s plans to withdraw troops from Afghanistan.

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