Photo: ReutersThe leaders of the Senate Intelligence Committee said the panel will investigate allegations Russia used cyber attacks to influence the US presidential election, including any links between Russia and the political campaigns. Mattis said Russia, China and Islamist militants were presenting the biggest challenge to the US-led world order since World War Two, and called for Congress to lift spending caps undermining military readiness. Asked about the main threats to US interests, Mattis said: "I would consider the principle threats to start with Russia." Mattis said he wanted to meet with the new Trump national security team to "craft a strategy to confront Russia for what it's done," when questioned about the possibility of new US sanctions. Due to enter the White House on Januaru 20, Trump acknowledged that Russia likely hacked the Democratic National Committee and emails of top Democrats during the 2016 presidential election campaign, a conclusion reached by US spy agencies.

Source: Otago Daily Times January 14, 2017 02:26 UTC