Brittney Griner is nearing half a year of detention in Russia. Despite her being sentenced to nine years imprisonment on Thursday, and things seem to be coming to a head with regard to her rescue mission; but it may not be the most favored trade.
There has been speculation that, to get Griner out, the U.S. would have to release notorious arms dealer Viktor Bout to Russia. A daunting task, considering the crimes he has committed.
Nicknamed the “Merchant of Death,” Bout has supplied terrorist organizations with firearms to kill Americans in the past, and is currently serving his sentence. Should the U.S. government ask for more for Bout, or should they hold him off limits and give Russia a different prisoner?
The Biden administration is asking for the return of Griner and former Marine Paul Whelan. There are mixed views of the deal, with some praising it and some scratching their heads.
A possible restructure could mean the U.S. asking for Marc Fogel, who is also detained on drug charges in Russia. A common theme arises here: to send an arms dealer in exchange for people trying to sneak out recreational drugs seems hardly reasonable.
Whelan was caught trying to sneak out classified files from Russia, so, Russia may be reluctant to release him the same way in which the U.S. is reluctant to hand over Bout.
Prisoner swaps have been a longstanding part of the rocky history between the U.S. and Russia, dating back to 1962, when the first exchange took place. We now stand at the precipice of another, but with different implications.
In ’62, it was a convicted KGB spy sent back to Russia to recover a U2 spy plane pilot known as Gary Powers. The prisoners were swapped on a foggy bridge in Berlin. Of course, it will probably be a more formal swap; but we’ve come a long way. Many say we haven’t since we’re still talking about trying to rescue someone arrested, convicted and imprisoned on a cannabis charge.
But at least we’re trying. Finally.
To take this long on recovering a citizen faced with a suspicious drug charge is a concerning sign for our government, nevertheless. Griner had a doctor’s permission to possess the cannabis oils, but the government dropped the ball by failing to utilize this reality in their talks.
Now, it has come down to this: we’re giving up a very dangerous prisoner for a woman who was just trying to make extra money in an overseas league, and who happens to need a drug prescription. Is that a crime? Hardly.
The system is broken in many ways, and yes, money comes from viewers and sponsors. The WNBA may not have the funds to support their stars in the way they should be, but there has to be a better way than risking your livelihood in a hostile country like Russia where Griner now faces a 10-year max sentence because she was caught with a drug legalized in several united states.
Hopefully, intensified trade proposals signifies the light at the end of the tunnel for the WNBA standout, and she can be returned home safely after this most tumultuous time. As far as the Biden administration goes, we are approaching midterms, and at the halfway point, things aren’t looking up for Sleepy Joe.
Wake up.
