Russian President Vladimir Putin jokes during a Q&A session that Russia is ready to grant asylum to James Comey, comparing him to Edward Snowden. The hosts also discuss leaked Republican talking points regarding the obstruction of justice charges.
6 chapters across the catalog
Russian President Vladimir Putin jokes during a Q&A session that Russia is ready to grant asylum to James Comey, comparing him to Edward Snowden. The hosts also discuss leaked Republican talking points regarding the obstruction of justice charges.
Edward Snowden Asylum, EU Parliament Resolution
The European Parliament passed a non-binding resolution calling on member states to drop criminal charges against Edward Snowden and prevent his extradition. The hosts view this as a significant "F you" to the United States and a sign of shifting geopolitical alliances. They suggest the migration crisis and these diplomatic rifts are early indicators of "World War III" being fought through unconventional means.
The hosts discuss the ongoing presence of Edward Snowden in Russia and the diplomatic leverage it provides Vladimir Putin. They speculate on the potential PR impact if Putin were to extradite Snowden or if Snowden were to move to a country like Ecuador. The conversation touches on the "spycraft" required for Snowden to leave Russia undetected.
Edward Snowden Legal Representation and Return to US
Edward Snowden's German lawyer, Wolfgang Kaleck, indicates that the whistleblower wishes to return to the United States from his asylum in Russia. The discussion notes the proliferation of attorneys claiming to represent Snowden and the ongoing legal hurdles regarding his espionage charges.
Sarah Harrison, Edward Snowden and WikiLeaks Relationships
The discussion turns to Sarah Harrison, a key WikiLeaks staffer currently in Russia with Edward Snowden. Julian Assange defends Harrison's role in securing Snowden's asylum while the hosts speculate on the personal dynamics within the group. Assange characterizes the surveillance apparatus in the West as a threat to democracy, comparing it to the goals of East Germany.
Gordon Humphrey, Republican Support for Edward Snowden
Former two-term Republican Senator Gordon Humphrey of New Hampshire sent an email to Edward Snowden expressing support for his exposure of NSA surveillance. Humphrey, who served on the Foreign Relations and Judiciary Committees, stated that Snowden did the right thing in exposing violations of the U.S. Constitution. This stands in contrast to many other politicians who have labeled Snowden a traitor.
