Why should we be kicking out diplomats for low level spying?

Hello delawaredreaming,

The Russian diplomats were not expelled for spying either high or low level.

They were expelled because it is 99% certain that Russia were responsible for using chemicals which are universally illegal to attack an ex Russian double agent and his daughter. They also used the chemical attack in a foreign country, not on their own soil.

Russia is a signatory to the agreement banning the use of chemical weapons but they obviously don't care about keeping to that agreement.

I don't believe Russia believed there would be such a worldwide outcry at the use of these chemicals but were in for a shock.

Poseidon

Be sure and watch the last season of "the Amerikans" on FOX. The first episode is tonight, 3-28-2018. I know how this series is going to end. It will end with the fall of communism and the spies being told that their services are no longer needed. They can stay in the USA and continue their lives and may be the FBI will leave them alone or abandon everything and get a plane ticket back to Russia. My real-life husband knew one person who he suspected was a spy. The way they knew is that he was given a job that he hated but was useful for spy information. He would not quit the job. Eventually, after the fall of the Soviets, he did quit and got a job with a company in western Europe that traded with the Russians. It was a good fit for him and his family.

Over the last decade, Russia has gone unchecked and unchallenged. The relationship between not only our country, but many in the world due to this, have become strained. Bullies, will always try to push for more power and control, they must be kept in check. Appeasing them, as Obama did, did not work. So not only our country but many others are starting to push back a little bit. Baby steps at first, to send the message that we will not allow this behavior to continue. Taking this route, will only create more tensions and Putin will increase his pushing. That is who he is and playing these little games will not stop him. He needs to be met with equal or greater resistance then he applies. That is what he respects.

Give us specific examples of diplomats being kicked out for 'low level' spying. I'm not aware of any although your assertion of 'low level' is highly subjective and nebulous.

That's the way we do things. It's somewhere in between saying, "no, no, bad Russians" and attacking the Kremlin. We expel "diplomats" they expel ours, and, after enough time has passed, everything goes back to abnormal.

The Russians attempted murder with a nerve agent that even affected the first responder. It was not low level spying.

Well considering that the Russians actually assassinated a former spy on British soil using a nerve agent, some sort of unified response from the global community is appropriate.

Or would you prefer we just go straight into a war?

It’s all political cosmetics.