Intel analysis shows Putin approved election hacking

A US official familiar with the US intelligence assessment of the Russia election-related hacking said the understanding is that the operation was carried out with sophisticated hacking tools, the equivalent of those used by the US National Security Agency. The use of the advanced tools suggests Russian President Vladimir Putin was involved in the hacks, a person familiar with the matter said, adding that it was more than a US intelligence assumption at this point.

Russian hacking requires independent investigation

The Trump-Russia scandal continues to widen, with revelations that are making it increasingly clear that not only do we need a full investigation, but that investigation needs to be independent and bipartisan, and include public hearings. Some Republicans, including Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, have suggested that the Senate Intelligence Committee can handle it.

The Latest: Trump team says Energy questions unauthorized

In this June 15, 2012, file photo, Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson shake hands at a signing ceremony of an agreement between state-controlled Russian oil company Rosneft and ExxonMobil at the Black Sea port of Tuapse, southern Russia. President-elect Donald Trump selected Tillerson to lead the State Department on Monday, Dec. 12, 2016.

Trump’s choice for leading diplomat is no fan of sanctions

In this June 15, 2012, file photo, Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson, now secretary of state-designate, shake hands at a signing ceremony of an agreement between state-controlled Russian oil company Rosneft and ExxonMobil at the Black Sea port of Tuapse, southern Russia. If there's one thing Republicans and Democrats have agreed on in foreign policy, it is the power of sanctions.

NBC: Putin Personally Behind Hacking of DNC

U.S. intelligence officials now believe with "a high level of confidence" that Russian President Vladimir Putin became personally involved in the covert Russian campaign to interfere in the U.S. presidential election, senior U.S. intelligence officials told NBC News. Two senior officials with direct access to the information say new intelligence shows that Putin personally directed how hacked material from Democrats was leaked and otherwise used.

REPORT: Intelligence officials believe Putin was directly involved in the Democratic Party hacks

Russian President Vladimir Putin listens during a meeting in the Novo-Ogaryovo residence outside Moscow, Russia, on Monday, Nov. 14, 2016. US intelligence officials believe Russian President Vladimir Putin was likely directly involved in the hacking campaign that targeted Democratic Party officials and organizations during the US presidential election, NBC News reported Tuesday.

Why Rex Tillerson?

Since becoming Exxon's CEO in 2006, and before that as head of the oil giant's international division, Tillerson has presided over operations in some 200 countries, positions that put him in contact with a global rogues' gallery of strongmen from Russia's Vladimir Putin to Venezuela's Hugo Chavez, Chad's Idriss Deby to Yemen's Ali Abdullah Saleh. That experience, according to friends and allies, makes him well-suited to go toe to toe with some of the world's nastiest people.

Why is Rex Tillerson as secretary of state so controversial?

Boosters of Donald Trump's candidate to be the next secretary of state talk about his experience leading one of the world's largest companies -- and so do his detractors. Fans of ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson say running a global energy company equips the 64-year-old with the management tools needed to represent the US abroad.

The Latest: Trump praises Speaker Ryan at Wisconsin rally

President-elect Dona... . FILE- In this June 15, 2012, file photo, Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson shake hands at a signing ceremony of an agreement between... Two Colorado electors are appealing a judge's ruling that they must vote for the presidential candidate who won their state's popular vote.

Donald Trump’s pick to head State Department recommended by lobbyist to Exxon, Russia

Late Monday, President-elect Donald Trump's transition team quietly announced that it was postponing his first post-election conference, meant to address potential conflicts of interests for the incoming commander-in-chief. Then early Tuesday, Trump announced his selection of Exxon CEO Rex Tillerson as Secretary of State and lined up former Republican government officials with ties to ExxonMobil and Russia's state-run gas company to vouch for the career oil man with no experience in government.

The Latest: Brazil’s Temer and Trump discuss economic growth

In this June 15, 2012, file photo, Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson shake hands at a signing ceremony of an agreement between state-controlled Russian oil company Rosneft and ExxonMobil at the Black Sea port of Tuapse, southern Russia.

Trump picks ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson for secretary of state

President-elect Donald Trump has picked as his secretary of state Rex Tillerson, the chief executive of ExxonMobil, setting up a possible confrontation with members of his own party in the Senate, according to a person involved in the transition. Since Tillerson's name emerged as a candidate for the post, leading Republicans have expressed reservations about his years of work in Russia and the Middle East on behalf of the multinational petroleum company.

Russiaa s back, bigger and badder than ever

Back in March 2014, with Russian-speaking forces patrolling the streets of Crimea, until then a part of the sovereign country of Ukraine, I wrote an article arguing that, "We have entered a new Cold War." Fast-forward to this surreal moment in American - and global - history, and it appears that Vladimir Putin's Russia is handily winning this Cold War 2.0. This is no longer a battle between Communism and capitalism/democracy.

Top GOP leader: Senate to probe reports of Russia hacking

The top Senate Republican said Monday that Congress will investigate a CIA assessment that Russia interfered in the November election on behalf of Donald Trump, an intelligence conclusion that the incoming commander in chief has called "ridiculous." Majority Leader Mitch McConnell told reporters that an inquiry would be conducted by the Senate intelligence panel.