Commentary: Russia-U.S. Showdown Over Snowden Incident Looks Unlikely

[Purveyor]

BEIJING, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- It's good to see neither Russia nor the United States were swayed by impulsive feelings to face off with each other over the sensitive Snowden incident.

Russia granted U.S. intelligence whistleblower Edward Snowden only one year's temporary asylum, while White House spokesman Jay Carney avoided aggressive rhetoric after Moscow announced the decision.

Letting Snowden in from Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport could be considered the result of more than one months' wrestling between Moscow and Washington publicly and under the table.

The Russian decision could not be seen as hasty given the arrogant U.S. attitude, as Washington did not submit any formal request to Moscow to extradite Snowden during the past 40 days.

With the controversy raised by recent trial of U.S. Army private Bradley Manning, who was convicted of leaking information and faces up to 136 years in prison, it is not a bad public relations tactic for Moscow to grant asylum to Snowden.

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http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2013-08/02/c_125110155.htm

[dipsydoodle]

1. No - not really a good time for petulance.

.

[Thinkingabout]

2. Probably the smartest move Washington could make, we dont have to worry about what

Happens to him if he gets out of line in Russia. Cheaper on the US also, no cost of a trial, no cost for incarceration, the US will be the winner.

[Purveyor]

3. Besides that, there isn't a fucking thing we can do about it. eom

[Thinkingabout]

4. Maybe he still needs his epilepsy treated, where could he go next