Brittney Griner released from Russian custody in prisoner swap

Brittney Griner, a Texan, will be spending the holidays at home, which is fantastic news that shouldn't be overlooked during this time of miracles and joy. That merits a celebration. We join in thanking the Biden administration for working to bring her home, along with her wife Cherelle, her extended family, her WNBA supporters, and millions of other Americans. But this delicious comfort comes with a lot of bitterness as well. According to the James W. Foley Legacy Foundation, which was established in honor of the American journalist who was kidnapped and killed in Syria, more than 60 Americans are being held illegally in around 18 different nations. Former U.S. official Paul Whalen is one of them. Since 2018, the marine and security director for a Michigan-based auto components supplier has been detained in Russia. Some of President Joe Biden's detractors instantly politicized Griner's release, speculating that Whalen was purposefully passed up. According to a headline in the Washington Times that quoted former Texas GOP chairman Allen West, "Celebrity culture won." That's improbable. We don't believe that Russian President Vladimir Putin stood by with a pen in hand, offering American diplomats a menu of options. Biden stated on Thursday, "This was not a choice of which American to bring home. "Unfortunately, Russia is treating Paul's case differently than Brittney's for completely unjustified reasons, and while we have not yet been able to secure Paul's release, we are not giving up," the statement continued. Also Read: YouTube Crypto ‘Front Running’ Scam: Don’t Fall for It However, the real story here is about the faltering American democracy, which may be giving bully governments like the one in Russia more confidence to kidnap more people. Extortionists see an opportunity when the most significant democracy in the world exhibits weakness by attacking its most significant institutions from within. Not just Russia is keeping an eye on things. Currently holding Americans in detention are nations like Iran, Syria, and Venezuela. These nations are asking what they could get in exchange. Viktor Bout, a renowned arms dealer known as the "merchant of death," who is charged with igniting conflict in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, is what Russia received in exchange for Griner. "Creep," said William J. Burns, director of the CIA. Griner, on the other hand, was charged with carrying a vape cartridge containing cannabis oil. That's comparable to the charge brought against the most recent American released from a Russian prison: Trevor Reed, a Texan who received a nine-year prison term in 2019 primarily for driving under the influence. Konstantin Yaroshenko, a Russian drug smuggler, was given his release in exchange for Reed's.