One American Held in Russia Released While the Other Remains Captive

It’s a relief the Russians have released American basketball great Brittney Griner from a Russian gulag where she should never have been. Though Griner made an error of judgment, 10 years in prison for cannabis vape cartridges is absurd.

But, despite folks like NBC News calling this a “rare diplomatic success between the U.S. and Russia…” the deal for her release may have long-term negative implications for the U.S. History will likely cite Joe Biden’s feeble and erratic foreign policy reputation as part of the blame.

But, to be fair, despite it shouldn’t have come to this, although the Biden regime wanted two Americans released, when offered one, in the real world, they had to accept.

But what happens next time? The Biden regime wanted two Americans: Griner and retired U.S. Marine Paul Whelan swapped for an arms dealer, Viktor Bout. British Intelligence nicknamed Bout the “Merchant of Death”—for a reason. Does anyone think he’s the only arms dealer the Brits have dealt with?

In part, according to FOX News, Bout “was in the middle of a 25-year sentence in federal prison after he was convicted of conspiracy to kill Americans relating to the support of a Colombian terrorist organization” [emphasis added].

The next time the U.S. has a murderous villain the Russians want, what’s to keep Putin from “arresting” another American to barter with, which civilized nations don’t do? Someone probably brought this up, but Biden has a history of, even when his own people point out trouble, disregarding their warnings in favor of pursuing his political goals. The Daily Wire noted this propensity regarding Biden’s disastrous Afghanistan withdrawal.

It’s likely, because of the kind of man Whelan is, with his history of service to his country, he would have preferred Griner be released before himself. However, that won’t make his absence at another Christmas celebration any easier for his family, who’ve been waiting for nearly four long years to get him back.

Frustratingly, this is the second time Whelan has been left behind during a prisoner exchange.

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Steve Pomper

Steve Pomper is an author, freelance writer, and retired Seattle police officer. During his career, he served as a field training officer, on the Community Police Team, and as a mountain bike patrol coordinator. He’s written five books, including The Obama Gang and De-Policing America, and he is a contributor to the National Police Association and a freelance writer for The Tatum Report.

Originally from New England, he’s a Boston sports fan. He now lives in the Pacific Northwest with his wife, Jody, a retired firefighter. He enjoys spending time with his adult kids and three grandchildren.