[SamuraiScot]

“If the Russians were behind the attack on Paul Joyal, then they crossed a line that they had not [crossed] earlier even in Soviet times — attacking a native-born American citizen on American territory.”

Not so. If I recall correctly, according to Whittaker Chambers in Witness, in the 1930s, during the struggle for control of the Communist Party in Russia, the GRU (or whatever it was called) was assassinating American Communists in America who were on the "wrong" side of the debate in Russia. The hit-men were forced to act—to stop the spread of Vronsky-ism, or whatever.

With overseas friends like the Russkies, enemies are a needless luxury.

[Forward the Light Brigade]

Russians killing political enemies? I am shocked! Can’t be possible as they are no longer Communists!
PS They were killing enemies of the state even when the Czar was on the throne.