In Russia, Pompeo plays Lavrov at his own game

Meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Tuesday delivered for America.

Following their talks in the Russian resort city of Sochi, the two held a press conference. But while Lavrov delivered a made-for-state-TV performance, Pompeo didn’t play the part Russia intended for him. As Lavrov attacked the United States on Venezuela, Iran, and election interference concerns, Pompeo smiled and waited for his turn. When Lavrov absurdly complained that the U.S. had produced no evidence of Russian election interference in 2016, Pompeo simply doubled down.