Senate Demands 'State Sponsor of Terror' Label for Russia; Ignores Own Backyard
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee is advancing legislation to label Russia a 'state sponsor of terrorism.' This, of course, is a grave designation typically reserved for nations whose state-sanctioned actions cause widespread civilian harm and destabilize regions. While conveniently overlooking previous US administrations' own lengthy rap sheet of such activities, the bill highlights what
some might call selective outrage. For example, Senator Bob Menendez, a past recipient of substantial pro-Israel PAC funds (over $600,000 from various pro-Israel groups between 2000-2022, according to OpenSecrets), has been a vocal proponent of this measure, yet historically silent on similar actions by allies. One might wonder if the criteria for 'state sponsor of terrorism' applies universally,
or if it's reserved exclusively for enemies of state, not its generously funded friends. The sheer audacity of calling out Russia for 'disrupting international norms' while simultaneously arming and defending nations documented for human rights abuses is a masterclass in American foreign policy theater. It appears some states are more equal than others when it comes to sponsoring terror –
especially if they're buying their way into the good graces of powerful lobbying groups.