Snowden touches down in Moscow ... tweeted by Wikileaks

https://twitter.com/wikileaks/statuses/348792474833133570

by quackerhacker • 13 years ago

86 38 13 years ago

jere2• 13 years ago

Maybe a silly question, but is there any reason he couldn't have flown to Moscow in the first place?

avar• 13 years ago

Snowden himself answered this here, the question is about Iceland but the answer is applicable to Moscow too: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jun/17/edward-snowden-n...

quackerhacker2• 13 years ago

Every decision Snowden has made has been very well thought out....

1. He pushed US media (WaPo) to publish by going to UK media (TheGuardian).

2. He released with reservation and regard to security, not all docs were published.

3. He voluntarily disclosed his identity for protection...if the public knows him, it'll be awkward, if he just disappeared.

4. [my opinon] He went to Hong Kong (specifically HK, not China), because it is still somewhat it's own country, yet a formidable adversary to the US through China's protection. Also, it's unbeknownst to us, if he released more information while in HK.

5. Russia recently had captured a CIA agent (although I thought it more comical then serious), and no extradition to the US. Again, another formidable adversary to the US, and it may have been a red flag for an intel agent to go to Russia.

By formidable, I imply that the US will not send a seal team in to these territories that have the military capability to strike back (I won't say the name - but Pakistan is what I'm implying here).

Nrsolis2• 13 years ago

Uh, someone should learn the difference between "clandestine" and "covert".

The USA is most definitely capable of undertaking operations in "denied areas."

edit: typo.

pdq• 13 years ago

The NSA has to be given advance notice of international travel. There's no way they are going to grant him going on a vacation to Moscow.

Instead, he claimed Hong Kong had a treatment available for his epilepsy, which he used as cover to get NSA approval there. From there he knew he could buy time to figure out a full plan to get to his final destination, Iceland.

It looks like Venezuela may be another interim country before he gets there.

jere2• 13 years ago

Instead, he claimed Hong Kong had a treatment available for his epilepsy, which he used as cover to get NSA approval there.

Oh, that is the first I've heard of that. He never mentioned it in his Q&A.

darxius• 13 years ago

Everyone seems to be going very public with his travel information. Either it's a way of making it harder for something "unfortunate" to happen to his (ie, for his safety) or this could be misinformation.

How likely is it that this is misinformation?

kintamanimatt• 13 years ago

Given that he's been so incredibly honest and open so far, I doubt it's misinformation or misdirection. If he did try to mislead regarding his travel plans, no matter the reason or strategy, it could undermine his credibility in terms of other things he says. He seems intentionally very candid.

We'll see though.

Torn• 13 years ago

Their gambit is likely if there's lots of press there, less chance for some clandestine CIA op to capture him.

ck2• 13 years ago

This is going to be a movie someday, just hope it doesn't end with tragedy.

krek• 13 years ago

It already has ended with a tragedy. Our privacy rights and 4th amendment protections have been thrown out the window. The making of Snowden into a Kardashian spectacle is to distract us from this fact.

ianhawes• 13 years ago

If anyone turned it into a Kardashian spectacle it was Snowden himself. His video interview and Q&A have only served to publicize himself. He could have easily and safely leaked incriminating documents to a journalist and achieved the same effect.

tomjen3• 13 years ago

It has already been made (Under Siege) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0133952/.

It is one of the most chilling movies I have ever seen, they were going to make a followup, about an attack on the World Trade Centers, but then reality court up with them.

joeblau• 13 years ago

He sold me on Hong Kong and now he's leaving. This doesn't look good for our protagonist!

marknutter• 13 years ago

Why? Hong Kong still appears to have been a brilliant move. It's one of the few places he could actually travel to pre-whistle-blowing and it has apparently allowed him to travel to a countries that are even less likely to extradite him.

mistercow• 13 years ago

It seems to me that he always characterized Hong Kong as a stalling tactic. He likely bought himself months or even years of time by exploiting the diplomatic situation and legal red tape. It turns out he only needed a few days. That's not a sign that he's in trouble - it's a sign that he's leaving an appropriate amount of leeway in his plans.

antonius• 13 years ago

A few reports have been speculating that his next destination will be Cuba, for obvious reasons.

edit: Per reports, Cuba will be a layover before Venezuela, his final destination.

gasull2• 13 years ago

According to some sources, his final destination could be Ecuador.

eatitraw• 13 years ago

Any ideas on why he have chosen Venezuela over Russia? Is russian government more likely to trade him for something with the USA? Or maybe he just was unable to obtain asylum in Russia on reasonable terms(e.g. russian government demanded him to disclose other classified information)

gasull2• 13 years ago

It isn't clear yet if Snowden has chosen Venezuela. He might be choosing Ecuador.

nknighthb3• 13 years ago

BBC is reporting Russian media as claiming a "diplomatic car" met Snowden's plane on the tarmac and he debarked directly into it. They're speculating he might be spending the night in the Venezuelan or Ecuadorian embassy.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-23022926 (in video, not mentioned in text at this time)

paulasmith2• 13 years ago

Okay now I've lost respect for him. I appreciate that he told us what the gov was secretly doing, but to now go to the enemy? Come on, that's treason.

kryten3• 13 years ago

Who's enemy?

I have no enemies. My government says that I do though.

rdouble2• 13 years ago

If you work in infosec or even just maintain a popular website, 100% of your security problems come from either Russia or China.

paulasmith2• 13 years ago

Look, it's one thing to tell us our government is abusing its power, but it's another to go to another country, especially one that has a long history with us. Seriously, I don't understand the down voting, the guy is committing treason.

fastball2• 13 years ago

What else can you do when your own country vilifies you?

His country betrayed him long before he fled to Russia. He owes no allegiance to a country which has forsaken him and apparently rescinded his passport.

Snowden touches down in Moscow ... tweeted by Wikileaks

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