Imagine you’re watching a magician, knowing a trick is about to unfold, but not quite sure how. That’s what reading this feels like as we navigate the complexities of international diplomacy. We’re drawn into a stage where two superpowers spar, and lives hang in the balance.
This week, President Biden and his henchwoman Kamala Harris bragged about the release of hostages from Russia. The failed Biden presidency somehow managed to free several Americans in prison, in exchange for Russian criminals.
The geopolitical chessboard is currently buzzing with moves that will shape the fate of Americans detained abroad. At the center of this storm is former President Donald Trump, whose latest gambit has stirred both hope and controversy. Against a backdrop of strained U.S.-Russia relations, Trump calls out Biden’s deal. And he is making a somber prediction.
Former President Trump called this week’s massive prisoner exchange with Russia that freed Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and former Marine Paul Whelan a victory for Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“Well as usual, it was a win for Putin or any other country that deals with us… I think it’s wonderful that Evan’s coming back. I think it’s great. But these deals are so bad. These deals are going to lead to tremendous kidnappings,” he added. [Source: The Hill]
As President Biden makes backflips (metaphorically, we know the man can’t even walk), Trump is dampening this “victory.” The Biden administration secured the release of two Americans falsely charged with crimes in Russia. But, in exchange for these men, America and other countries gave up a Russian assassin and others. Trump said the deal was not a win for America, but a victory for Putin.
Trump was glad that Americans were freed, including Evan Gershkovich. But he warned that Biden’s quickness to give in to other nation’s demands will only hurt us. As was the case with the Obama administration, Biden is caving to demands from a foreign, hostile government. For of Biden’s “tough” words against Russia, he appeared to fold faster than a novice at a poker table.
Trump warned that this deal will encourage our enemies to do much worse. He said that this could lead “to tremendous kidnappings.” Negotiating the release of prisoners is a difficult thing. If America just caves and gives in to Russia’s (or terrorists’) demands, it will signal to other criminals that we’ll do anything to get our people back. That could encourage more kidnapping overseas, since terrorists will assume America will pay big ransoms for the hostages.
While Trump and other leaders should work overtime to free Americans, they also have to send a strong message to our enemies. We do not reward crime. In the past, America used Seal Team Six and other elite soldiers to free hostages and give terrorists their just desserts. But the Biden administration is just giving up at every turn. Should this surprise us? This is the same administration that handed Afghanistan over to the Taliban, without even putting up a fight.
If Biden is bad at this, Harris is much worse. The California Democrat is a career politician who has been propped up by her party because of her ethnicity and gender. She has never proven she has a backbone or leadership skills. Yet, she was with Biden when he greeted Gershkovich, in an obvious attempt to attach herself to this “success.” In reality, she is reminding Americans she will be a worse president than Biden if she is elected. Kamala has failed to do a single task assigned to her as vice president. She can’t even talk straight, when she does not have a script.
All we can say is, Americans traveling overseas better be careful, until Trump returns to the White House.
Author: Bo Dogan