Obama snubs Putin over Snowden
Chief Tango and Ex-PH2 send us links to the news that Obama plans to skip his one-on-one meeting with Vlad the Putin ahead of the G20 meeting next month.
Authorities in Moscow last week granted temporary asylum to Snowden, who is wanted by U.S. authorities for leaking classified intelligence information to newspapers.
That decision infuriated Washington. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., called on the U.S. “to fundamentally rethink our relationship with Putin’s Russia.”
In a statement Wednesday, the White House noted cooperation in some areas, such as policies toward Afghanistan and Iran, but said Moscow’s decision to help Snowden was “disappointing.”
I thought about this real hard, but I decided that whether Obama went to the meeting or skipped it, I was going to call him a “pussy” so he really couldn’t win either way. I think that’s the way most of the Right saw this – a “no-win” for Obama. But mostly only because his foreign policy team headed by John Kerry couldn’t convince Putin to turn over Eddie Snowden. So yeah, I really blame Kerry, but Obama gets the “pussy” label because he picked that buffoon Kerry as his Secretary of State, probably just to make Hillary Clinton look good.
So instead of going to Moscow, Obama will go to Stockholm, because I guess Sweden hasn’t done anything to embarrass this administration yet. From the Washington Post (Amazon Post?);
“Sweden is a close friend and partner to the United States,” Carney said in a statement. “Sweden plays a key leadership role on the international stage, including in opening new trade and investment opportunities through the U.S.-EU Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, advancing clean technologies, and promoting environmental sustainability.”
Besides, there are more Muslims in Sweden, anyway, it’ll feel more like home to the President. I’m sure John Kerry can piss them off before he gets there without even half-trying.
Category: Barack Obama/Joe Biden, Foreign Policy, John Kerry
I think we’re being too hard on Putin. I think he gave Snowden asylum to get the high-profile bum out of his airport!
Pardon the duplicate post, but I felt its relevant.
It seems other countries have caught on to the nonsense Jay Carney and his handler are dishing out. So much for enhancing our credibility across the globe.
Vlad probably doesn’t care any more than I do about the snub. (Pardon us as we have a good laugh over it.)
Why does Putin defy the US? Because, as this article tells us, he can.
http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/08/07/19912839-analysis-what-does-putin-get-from-giving-temporary-asylum-to-edward-snowden?lite
Ex-PH2: those are all plausible reasons, and are probably part of the reason.
However, I’m personally convinced that the main reason is that Russia wants to know what Snowden has on any media he brought with him when he defected – and what he has stored in his head.
And by “plays a key role” means “We like sweden because they let us raid the piratebay and they bend over backwards to the DCMA.
Putin at this time can do anything he wants, he has realized the POTUS is a whimp .. is too bad they are not meeting I would have LOVED to see that body language bet you putin would have taken the right and even patted Obama on the back (that means “I own you boy” in body language you can see George W Bush doing it to Britain’s prime minister … priceless)
@1 PintoNag I disagree I think he did that to start saying “well we realized you are weak watch me start doing my stuff again and not caring” UGH … *sigh*
“Sweden plays a key leadership role on the international stage…” J Carney
That would be the international stage at the Foiles Bergere, I suppose. How can he possibly utter those words without either laughing or barfing? We’re talking Sveden here. Hell, when someone says “Sweden,” I always think “world leader”–followed by “in porn.”
Swedes and porn?
What?
I’m seeing it claimed on fb that President Obama snubbed President Putin over his stance against homosexuality. Nothing to do with Snowden at all. No this is a blow for gay rights!
He doesn’t go far enough. Boycott the Olympics- that’ll show ’em!
Carney is the WH butt-boy, and a bed-wetter, of course.
Total dipshit.
Hondo, Vlad knows which one is the weakest link. (I hate to say this but) if Hillary had been elected instead of the idiot now in charge, things might not be the way they are right now. Vlad knows the lights are on, but nobody’s home.
What’s that old saying? Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer, I think.
I see our current POTUS is nearly as tough as James Earl Carter, AKA the Furious Rabbit.
Will he, will he ask me to dance?
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2Oy_5-HR2kg/UgJ2eq2qifI/AAAAAAABioc/o–QbpsQ8UQ/s1600/988268_627959857237464_1648540975_n.jpg
…but …but …but I was told the world would love the US after say the beginning of ’09. I was told it was gonna be no worries and other countries would be beating down our door to be our friends. Awww now I’m sad.
Ex-PH2: true, but in this case irrelevant. Don’t forget where Putin worked as a young man (roughly ages 23-39) before the collapse of the USSR. Anyone who doesn’t think he’s kept his hands firmly on that organization/its successors since becoming powerful is deluding themselves. Since the 1920s, that organization has had the power to make or break Soviet/Russian leadership. Even today, Russian leadership ignores it at extreme risk.
International relations and the chance to figuratively spit in our eye are IMO only a part of the reason Putin gave Snowden asylum. And also IMO, only a small part.
Hondo: some time back, I was learning a minute amount of Russian so that I could at least greet the Russian emigres who were coaching skaters at my rink.
I went in one morning for practice and said “Dobraota, tovarisch” to Sam, who grew up outside Moscow.
He said, “No, no! Tovarisch is dead. Where is KGB?”
He was (still is) a funny guy. Looked like Boris Badunov.
The ‘rules’ that used to be in place have gone by the wayside. Vlad has this longing for the good ol’ days of the Cold War, when he was part of that organization you inferred. And remember, we have someone in the oval office whose nuts are locked up in two women’s purses.
Ex-PH2: no argument with much of what you write above. My only point is that Putin definitely is in a position to know what Snowden’s info might possibly be worth. He’s also in the position to know what happens to Russian leadership when they ignore the requests of the “security organs” of the Russian government.
Hondo: you got that right.
What if they hadn’t put up someone as mild 😉 as Vlad?
What, you mean like Yuri Anropov? (smile)
Putin did this on purpose HOPING Obama would “snub” him. Putin doesn’t like him anymore than most of America. He’s laughing his ass off right now while drinking his vodka.
What does the former KGB LTCOL care? He neither respects or fears the empty chair. He got his “win” by sticking it to us on Snowden, and shipping missiles & other hardware to Syria. Snubbing Putin only validated his power and influence. Heck, now more quality time w/ his Nikitas, and going out to hunt & fish. Oh yeah, Prez BO is attending the G20 summit in St. Petersburg in September…that shouldn’t be too awkward.
While not an intel analyst, I had a nagging feeling early on when Snowden was sitting in HK, that his original destination might have been Russia. Trying to piece it together using over sea’s media mostly Russian news outlets has helped some. I don’t think he wants to be associated in any form or fashion with Wikileaks, Asange or Brianna. This is a translated article from the former but still active hard line news daily of Communist Russia, Izvestia….
It would suffice to name only the first and last name on the list to tell you that Snowden is supported by advocates with political outlooks that couldn’t be more varied, and who in their hearts have nothing in common but Snowden. There is no doubt that in the event of a trial against this “hero of unofficial America,” together they could generate a huge public outcry, and in fact genuine political support and mass demonstrations in his defense.
Why should this be? The point is that Snowden can be considered a product and phenomenon of American “soft power,” since he has stood up in defense of the very rights and freedoms that for years the U.S. has proclaimed the main object of its “human rights” activity across the world.”
http://worldmeets.us/ http://worldmeets.us/izvestia000037.shtml#.UgNl6OGVtpQ#ixzz2bN6teygL
I should have added, that daily is considered “conspiracy theorist”..