U.S. imposes sanctions on Russian entities

As a result of Russia’s alleged interference in the U.S. presidential election, the White House is imposing sanctions on three Russian companies, expelling 35 Russian diplomats from the U.S., and closing two Russian-operated U.S. facilities.    The White House on Thursday announced an executive order to punish Russia for its alleged interference in the recent U.S. presidential election.
   Investigations into the alleged Russian cyber-hacks of the Democratic National Committee’s computer systems during the run-up to the recent election were carried out by both the CIA and FBI.
   “These actions follow repeated private and public warnings that we have issued to the Russian government, and are a necessary and appropriate response to efforts to harm U.S. interests in violation of established international norms of behavior,” President Obama said in a statement. “All Americans should be alarmed by Russia’s actions.”
   In addition to expelling 35 Russian diplomats from the U.S. and closing two Russian-operated U.S. facilities, among other actions against high-ranking government officials and entities, the Obama administration imposed sanctions on three Russian companies that it said had a hand in the computer hackings, namely Special Technologies Center, Zor Security (also known as Esage Lab), and Autonomous Noncommercial Organization Professional Association of Designers of Data Processing Systems. The sanctions include various U.S. financial and export controls against these individuals and entities.
   The incoming Trump administration has the authority to roll back the executive order once in office. However, it stated that it plans to review and seriously consider the facts of the investigation before making any decisions.