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" this directive, once translated into national law (which, admittedly, could take some time), will probably grant Snowden explicit protection from extradition

" this directive, once translated into national law (which, admittedly, could take some time), will probably grant Snowden explicit protection from extradition in some countries " There's nothing to indicate this would happen. "the EU parliamentary campaign has just gone into full swing. It's the perfect time for grand gestures, particularly from governments that feel under assault by populist forces." So the EU is going to make a 'grand gesture' by poking the entity that provides it's security in the eye? For what reason? An intervention into US domestic affairs? Trump could feasibly respond by pulling US forces out of parts of Europe under threat by the Russians, i.e. the Baltic states which Putin has been trying to drag back under Russia's thumb in the same way they did Crimea, only to be thwarted by a solid NATO response coordinated and backed by the Americans. And of course the fact there's a trade war brewing for which the Americans have a little bit of an upper hand with a major trade deficit. It would be a huge mistake for Europe to unnecessarily provoke Trump at this point.

toyg 8y ago
> There's nothing to indicate this would happen. Most extradition treaties require extradatable crimes to have an equivalent in local law. This directive, once adopted nationally, would explicitly ensure Snowden's actions are not crimes, hence effectively shielding him. > So the EU is going to make When it comes to foreign policy, there is no "the EU". There are 27 (+1) states with different aims and priorities. See for example the current crisis in Lybia with France effectively supporting one (murderous) side over the other (slightly less murderous) side that most EU countries still support. > An intervention into US domestic affairs? Snowden's actions were clearly global in nature. > Trump could feasibly respond by pulling US forces out of parts of Europe Which may or may not have anything to do with the country that accepted Snowden. Trump could also launch thermonuclear war, on that line of thought. Please don't go hyperbolic, there is no need. > of course the fact there's a trade war brewing "Brewing"? I don't think we are living in the same universe. The Orange One has waged war from the minute he got in office. > It would be a huge mistake for Europe to unnecessarily provoke Trump at this point. As I said, there is no "Europe" as such, on these matters. But I understand it's difficult to appreciate from that side of the pond.
- sonnyblarney 8y ago
  "Snowden's actions were clearly global in nature." No, they were not. The legal consequences of his actions have nothing to do with Europe. "Trump could also launch thermonuclear war, on that line of thought. Please don't go hyperbolic" ??? Your words are hyperbolic, not mine. Trump and the Americans should and well remove their military protection of the EU - the current state of affairs whereby Europe has an external party pay for their security is 'hyperbolic' and untenable. Hypocritical, actually. This is a realty that clouds all discussions. "As I said, there is no "Europe" as such" - yes there is. Trade negotiations are done at the EU level. The 'trade war' is between US and EU, not between US and France/Germany. Tariffs are applied to them equally. Finally: Snowden is not a whistleblower. Some of his actions are tantamount to whistleblowing, the rest are tantamount to high treason. Snowden released a lot of information on how the US spies on foreign adversaries, such as Russia, which has nothing to do with 'whistleblowing'. His whistleblowing activities can be pardoned, but he'd be in jail for the rest of his life, or executed for treason.
  - toyg 8y ago
    > The legal consequences of his actions have nothing to do with Europe. Do you know how the internet works? > Trump and the Americans should and well remove their military protection of the EU I am afraid you simply do not understand what the real priorities of the US are, how power is projected in the modern world, and how it is exercised. > Snowden is not a whistleblower. I guess we'll have to disagree and leave it at that.

toyg 8y ago

> There's nothing to indicate this would happen. Most extradition treaties require extradatable crimes to have an equivalent in local law. This directive, once adopted nationally, would explicitly ensure Snowden's actions are not crimes, hence effectively shielding him. > So the EU is going to make When it comes to foreign policy, there is no "the EU". There are 27 (+1) states with different aims and priorities. See for example the current crisis in Lybia with France effectively supporting one (murderous) side over the other (slightly less murderous) side that most EU countries still support. > An intervention into US domestic affairs? Snowden's actions were clearly global in nature. > Trump could feasibly respond by pulling US forces out of parts of Europe Which may or may not have anything to do with the country that accepted Snowden. Trump could also launch thermonuclear war, on that line of thought. Please don't go hyperbolic, there is no need. > of course the fact there's a trade war brewing "Brewing"? I don't think we are living in the same universe. The Orange One has waged war from the minute he got in office. > It would be a huge mistake for Europe to unnecessarily provoke Trump at this point. As I said, there is no "Europe" as such, on these matters. But I understand it's difficult to appreciate from that side of the pond.

sonnyblarney 8y ago
"Snowden's actions were clearly global in nature." No, they were not. The legal consequences of his actions have nothing to do with Europe. "Trump could also launch thermonuclear war, on that line of thought. Please don't go hyperbolic" ??? Your words are hyperbolic, not mine. Trump and the Americans should and well remove their military protection of the EU - the current state of affairs whereby Europe has an external party pay for their security is 'hyperbolic' and untenable. Hypocritical, actually. This is a realty that clouds all discussions. "As I said, there is no "Europe" as such" - yes there is. Trade negotiations are done at the EU level. The 'trade war' is between US and EU, not between US and France/Germany. Tariffs are applied to them equally. Finally: Snowden is not a whistleblower. Some of his actions are tantamount to whistleblowing, the rest are tantamount to high treason. Snowden released a lot of information on how the US spies on foreign adversaries, such as Russia, which has nothing to do with 'whistleblowing'. His whistleblowing activities can be pardoned, but he'd be in jail for the rest of his life, or executed for treason.
- toyg 8y ago
  > The legal consequences of his actions have nothing to do with Europe. Do you know how the internet works? > Trump and the Americans should and well remove their military protection of the EU I am afraid you simply do not understand what the real priorities of the US are, how power is projected in the modern world, and how it is exercised. > Snowden is not a whistleblower. I guess we'll have to disagree and leave it at that.