With international anger mounting against the U.S., the Obama administration has stepped up pressure on any government considering helping the American whistleblower. Now stalking him like prey, Edward Snowden's fate is far from certain. Reportedly, this man without a country has requested asylum from as many as 21 countries to avoid apprehension by the Unites States.
Looking to plug the leak by any means necessary, the Obama administration has pulled out all stops to trap Edward Snowden in one place long enough to clip his wings. Pegged as the ultimate flight risk, the U.S. is actively cutting off any avenue of escape by threatening smaller nations with retribution for not cooperating fully with demands to lock Snowden out.
What form that retribution will take depends largely on the relationship the Unites States has with a particular nation state. Anything from canceling contracts, trade agreements and aid packages, to destabilizing the government of said nations are all options available to gain compliance. None of these tactics can be used openly, as that would expose the U.S. as a bully, a thug or both.
Hence, when difficult questions regarding the administration's handling of the Snowden issue are raised, generally the're met with a boilerplate blanket statement. (Some things must be handled with delicate behind the scenes diplomacy.) Behind the scenes maybe, but delicate is probably a stretch. Make no mistake about it, the United States is spoiling to shove a shank in Snowden's ass like a jailhouse snitch.
Still, with his signature smile and a few slick prepared lines, President Obama is doing his level best to downplay the intensity of his administration's efforts to nail the nation's loosest canon down once and for all. However, doing so will take considerable cunning and patience.
Unfortunately for the president, the wealth of illuminating data Mr Snowden has promised to release regularly, has the administration in a state of sheer frustration. Most would agree, when frustrated, one rarely think straight long enough to be cunning or patient.
No matter how this saga turns out, the administration will have the unenviable task of rebuilding trust among the America people as well as the international community. That, we say is impossible as long as the administration has to defend the actions and authorities of the NSA at the same time.
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