A couple of small points about Edward Snowden’s flight from Hong Kong:
1) US politicians are making all sorts of threats against China, Russia and anybody else who would help Snowden. This is the pinnacle of hypocrisy. Even if the US considers Snowden is a common spy – does anybody remember the long list of spies, including Russian ones, who found refuge in the USA (think Poteev here)?
2) It is most unlikely that Snowden is on the Aeroflot SU 150 flying to Cuba. The flight’s captain did not choose an eastern course over the Atlantic and away from US airspace, but a rather western course, well within not only US airspace, but even over US territory. See for yourself. This is the position of SU 150 at 1300 EDT:
3) Both Cuba or Ecuador are, in my opinion, bad locations for Snowden to chose as his new residence as both are heavily infiltrated by US intelligence services. In my opinion he would be far better off in China or Russia both of which could easily remove him from the general public’s “radar” forever.
We will see what happens.
The Saker
Politically it would be better for Snowden’s image with US dissidents if he went to Ecuador rather than seeking asylum in Russia. The Putin government has been very successfully demonised.
As far as his personal safety is concerned yes he’d be better off in Moscow. If he does get to Ecuador that increases the Empire’s incentive to subvert that country. There has already been an attempted putsch against Correa and if a right wing government comes to power in Quito it would very likely hand Snowden over as well as expelling Assange from the London embassy in order to curry favour with the US.
@Robert:Politically it would be better for Snowden’s image with US dissidents if he went to Ecuador rather than seeking asylum in Russia.
True. But that is one hell of a risk to take for the sake of appearing less infamous in the eyes of a terminally zombified public to begin with.
Well, I would then say that if he does not want to stay in China or Russia, his best options are Cuba, then Ecuador and Venezuela last (and outright dangerous). Besides, Cuba is so close geographically to the USA that this would allow Snowden not to feel too far away from his home country and homesick which, in the long run, might be tough for him.
I suppose that Iceland is an option too, but a very gloomy one and not really a danger-free option. How could Snowden be certain that no crazy US President would order the CIA to simply snatch him off the street?
Iran? Probably not a good choice for him either, judging by the number of murdered Iranian nuclear scientists.
No, I fully understand your argument and I agree with him, but if Snowden wants a new life in safety, then its either Russia or China or, Cuba with the option of moving back to Russia or China at the first sign of a real risk of “regime change” there (I do trust the current regime to be capable to protect Snowden, way better than the Ecuadorians or Venezuelans could).
My 2cts. We will see what Snowden decides :-)
Cheers!
The Saker
I agree Russia was by far the best option. Not only for his safety, but politically as well.
Sure the fox news crowd would mock him, but one can always retort how things have changed in the past 30 years and it is now people defecting TO the Russian Federation and FROM the new USSA.
Also, and MUCH MORE important, is the signal it sends to other potential whistle-blowers, that there is a (relatively) safe option. That last one is by FAR what the empire fears most. Not just the information being exposed to the public-which could be devastating. But also the sense that they could no longer trust their own people, that they have to constantly be on the lookout for defectors.
The last one is a double whammy. If and when defections from the US establishment become commonplace, the image of the US suffers greatly and the damage from that might outweigh whatever information is leaked.
Now perhaps Russia is not yet prepared to announce its willingness to offer asylum to anyone escaping the USSA. That will certainly bring the rage of a wounded but still very powerful beast upon them. On the other hand, if they feel the US is already enraged about Syria, well then…in for a dime, in for a dollar.
Hong Kong would have been a good option, but from what I read, they considered Snowden a hot potato and were happy to toss him to someone else.
@Lysander:MUCH MORE important, is the signal it sends to other potential whistle-blowers, that there is a (relatively) safe option.
Oh, Russian is safe, alright. Even a Neocon would never think of sending a kidnap/hit team into Russia.
That last one is by FAR what the empire fears most.
Yes, as it fears any visible indication of its lack of real power: as all the other empires, the Anglosphere relies on the illusion of almightiness it seeks to project.
Hong Kong would have been a good option
Why? In his place I would have felt far safer in Beijing or even another Chinese city
Russia would be good – safe, great people, rich culture, leading technologies in many areas and a promising future for a young man with marketable skills. An ex pat community also helps in adapting to a new homeland. Would it be correct to assume his family would be barred from traveling to Russia?
Don’t assume all Americans are ziombies. My SWAG estimate is perhaps 10-15% have freed themselves or their spirits were never captured.
BTW, the Saker has a lucidity that is breathtaking.
@Anonymous: Would it be correct to assume his family would be barred from traveling to Russia?
No. The US does not have the legals means for barring such travels while the Russians would definitely let them in (as they have done with other defectors whose families were allowed to visit them in Russia).
Don’t assume all Americans are ziombies
No, not at all. But, as in the rest of the world, the majority is, alas, pretty zombified, I think. But, of course, not all, far from it.
BTW, the Saker has a lucidity that is breathtaking.
You are very kind to say so. I try hard to be honest and non-ideological. I also tremendously enjoy the possibility to interact with other independent-minded and non-ideological people from whom I learn a lot every day.
Many thanks,
The Saker
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