The US’ enduring national security interests were irreparably damaged by this deal, which makes it even more of a strategic success for Russia than most folks realize. The latest Russian-US prisoner swap that saw businessman Viktor Bout exchanged for basketball player Brittney Griner was a self-inflicted embarrassment for the Biden Administration. Instead of securing the release of convicted spy Paul Whelan, which would have helped restore confidence in America’s intelligence assets that their patron will always fight for their interests if they’re ever caught red-handed breaking the law like he was, it preferred cutting a deal over the release of a minor sports celebrity.
This whole episode treating a WNBA player who got busted for weed as an international hostage situation has been hilarious and embarrassing for the US.
This whole episode treating a WNBA player who got busted for weed as an international hostage situation has been hilarious and embarrassing for the US.