Biden admin offers famous convicted Russian arms dealer (Viktor Bout) exchange for Griner, Whelan

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

No thanks.  The world is a safer place with the arms dealer under wraps.

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

Who in their right mind would visit Russia these days? Every tourist is a potential hostage.

She claims she was playing there to make extra money as the WNBA does not pay particularly well.

Yes, most WNBA players do this in the offseason.

Right.  Because of that, they had to know how the Russians are about this stuff.

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

I'd eat my hat if this wasn't Russia's plan from the beginning, and was the motive for arresting Griner in the first place. This is what happens when America looks weak on a global scale. Hardly surprising, since his friend and mentor taught him how to bargain for American prisoners with the Bergdhal exchange for five (FIVE!) top Taliban commanders, four of whom returned to the battlefield.

As a close observer of the public opinion in my own country and looking as such from the outside at America I'd say the main reason why America might be construed as looking "weak" is the constant infighting, political polarization/radicalization and the ensuing gridlock. Specifically, Donald Trump is seen as a weakness because he is interpeted as dividing your country and eroding its institutions. I suppose Biden is also seen as weak because he is interpreted as being  paralyzed when it comes to effectively reigning in Trumpism.

The HIMARS systems and M777 howitzers that the U.S. has send to Ukraine are certainly not intepreted as a sign of weakness, although the usual suspects from the far left (and far right) around here tend to decry it as sign of American imperialism and brinkmanship that could lead to nuclear escalation.

I phrased it improperly. I should have said that this is what happens when America IS weak. Russia convinced Biden to free an international criminal in exchange for a girl who has a vape pen as if their offenses were similar in significance.

As a self-described close observer, consider broadening your perception beyond so-called Trumpism. Focusing on that makes it look like you have tunnel vision. The current administration is making plenty of mistakes all by itself.

The fact that their offenses aren't comparable is why this deal had to be made. Biden made an unfortunate concession to prevent an extremely gross human rights violation. It sucks that the call had to be made, but it's a pretty easy call

Easy call?  Neh.  It's an easy call not to hand over an arms dealer who literally will kill people.

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

Getting Griner released is better optics than having her locked up. Let the world see that America will fight for its people.

Since she pretty much hates America, maybe she'll see it too.

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

Getting Griner released is better optics than having her locked up. Let the world see that America will fight for its people.

Since she pretty much hates America, maybe she'll see it too.

Please cite

The stories are the same.  She's Kaep 2.0 and I don't believe she cares for America anymore than he does.