Trump’s Pressure Tactics on Russia and Allies Will Backfire, Says Former CIA Analyst
Former CIA analyst Larry Johnson says Trump’s threats and sanctions won’t impact Russia, China, or India—and may backfire on the U.S. itself by damaging key alliances.
Former CIA analyst Larry Johnson has expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of U. S. President Donald Trump’s recent threats toward Russia and its partners. In his view, these gestures are unlikely to produce any meaningful impact on the outcome of the conflict in Ukraine.
Speaking on the matter, Johnson argued that new sanctions from Washington would not harm Russia, nor would they shift the dynamics of the ongoing war. He applied the same logic to the idea of secondary sanctions targeting countries like China and India.
Johnson acknowledged reports that some Indian companies have temporarily halted purchases of Russian oil but dismissed this as a short-term development.
He also stated that at this point, Russia cannot be pressured into altering its course. In Johnson’s assessment, Trump’s efforts to influence the situation are more likely to lead to unpredictable consequences-for the United States itself.
He concluded that the president seems focused on testing just how far he can damage relations, even with traditional allies. According to Johnson, «this level of irrationality wasn’t seen even under Joe Biden.»