THE Downside to Putin’s Hostage Taking

We’re told Russia’s Putin believes there’s “no downside” to taking American hostages used for “leverage” in blackmailing us, yet didn’t we all learn from Hamas in Israel that anyone needing hostages to make a deal exposes their WEAKNESS?

The issue keeps coming up as the WSJ recently tells us a Russian court has again “Extended Reporter Evan Gershkovich’s detention” on trumped up charges. Meanwhile, its editorial board in a separate op ed notes how “The Kremlin has made a habit of snatching Americans & then holding them to trade for a Russian convicted of crimes in the West.” You’ll recall, for instance, WNBA’s Brittney Griner being held in a gulag for 10 months on drug charges before the Kremlin exchanged her for arms dealer Viktor Bout serving 25-yrs on a terrorism conviction. And, of course, former US Marine Paul Whelan is still under lock & key after 5 years of also being accused of spying.

Although noting this hostage charade happens regardless of who’s living in the White House, the editors suggest President Biden show some gumption for once by making Russia’s all-empowered dictator Putin pay a price for playing this never-ending game. They want Joe to arrest &/or expel Russian journalists suspected by the FBI of be Russian spies. So far, nothing is apparently getting done to release the WSJ’s Evan & the editors think it’s because Putin sees the U.S. as in a weak position. It never seems to occur to our Swamp leadership that it is RUSSIAN weakness that is belied by its hostage taking. So, do we continue to forever engage in Joe’s fruitless “back channel” talks with Putin or give him a taste of his own medicine … if not like the chemo treatment Israelis are giving Hamas?

Davd Soul