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What makes you think it's unlikely? It strikes me as unsurprising that Russia would be willing to trade someone who was once a PR coup (but is now mostly irrel
by Kalium 7y ago
What makes you think it's unlikely?
It strikes me as unsurprising that Russia would be willing to trade someone who was once a PR coup (but is now mostly irrelevant) for someone who is currently politically very connected. Snowden's asylum has always been on the sufferance of the Russian government.
- mewse-hn 7y agoRussia is like "ve trade agents!" and USA is like "dude, the cold war ended 30 years ago"
- tinus_hn 7y agoWhat kind of burden is he? It’s not like he’s living in their embassy like a pariah.
- Kalium 7y agoIn confess, I don't understand the question. I did not seek or choose to imply in any way, shape, form, or manner that Snowden is a burden on the Russian government. Indeed I have no reason to think he is. Is it clearer if I say that Snowden's asylum was convenient for Russia, but they today derive no clear benefit from his presence and thus apparently tolerate him from lack of reason to disapprove?
- tinus_hn 7y agoSufferance implies tolerating something despite a burden, so yes. It would be quite an accusation to imply the Russians use people as pawns like that, by the way. I hope it’s not that bad.
- Kalium 7y agoIs it possible you and I might be operating under different definitions? I am using this one: > absence of objection rather than genuine approval; toleration. Of note is that this does not imply any suffering or burden. I understand that other people might personally choose to subscribe to different definitions of any given word. As for the rest, I don't think it's at all difficult to believe the Russians would use people as pawns that way. Especially when someone the ruling autocracy likes (and has some obligation they care about to defend) is concerned.