"the future of the United States is impacted by what happens in this region of the world"
This is a really important note to end on, because no matter what we decide to do or not to do outside of our borders (and there is a robust discussion to be had there!) we don't get to opt out of how that affects us, our economy, our national security, etc.
I agree Emily. I don’t think the people who are pro isolationism realize that doesn’t stop other countries from wanting a piece of the United States. If we shut out the rest of the world, would they come help us if another country attacks us? Or if they would, where are they now since their biggest and strongest ally let them fall? In my opinion, we depend on other countries too much to say “let’s just focus on the US! No wars and nothing made in other countries except USA.” This is by no means me saying I support us getting into every war. My husband is active duty and I like him home and safe 😬 just a difficult position to be in when the United States has the best military in the world and other countries depend on us to fight for them and if we don’t, democracies may die off
Also, just based off my very distant high school knowledge of a country that tried isolationism, Japan, that didn’t end very well for them.
Hi Sharon, thank you for such an insightful piece. I was generally aware of some of these stories, but I hadn’t yet had the dots connected so clearly.
The trend you describe—Russia weaponizing baseless arrests of foreigners to orchestrate swaps for Russians charged with far more serious crimes—is deeply unsettling. Not only does it incentivize acts of violence against innocent people, but it also has a chilling effect on anyone considering actions contrary to Putin’s interests. Furthermore, it undermines the credibility of countries that adhere to international rules, making them appear weak in the face of authoritarian regimes. All of these forces work in Russia’s favor at our expense.
It seems clear that taking a hardline stance against prisoner swaps could help deter such situations, effectively telling people that travel to authoritarian countries that they do so at their own risk. But I’m curious: what do you think the broader implications of such policies might be? Do you see alternative strategies the United States could use to flip this script?
Approaching WWII, Neville Chamberlain (U.K.) famously appeases Hitler, promising England's neutrality and non-intervention. Hitler, of course breaks his promise in that deal to refrain from attacking England. Chamberlain goes down in history as (to use 'pedestrian' verbiage) a 'dolt.' Only a fool would believe Hitler an honorable person who would uphold his end of a treaty. I fear Trump and Putin are the current day Chamberlain and Hitler, respectively.
I knew the Russian government was bad news but I didn't know it was to this extent.
How big a threat, and I don't necessarily mean in the sense of open conflict, is Russia to the United States? And how does the incoming president's unusual relationship with Putin affect that threat?
This is yet another example of what seems so obvious to me and yet appears to be bizarrely not obvious to Trump supporters. NATO keeps the free world free. Ukraine remaining free is of utmost importance to the free world. Russia does not wish us to remain free. If the U.S. sits on the sidelines while Russia continues its move into the free world - the U.S. will be bereft of allies to protect our freedom.
Sharon, thank you so much for this information. It’s a good reminder to all of us, with a new administration coming on, that we need to stay with NATO and keep supporting our NATO allies.
Thank you. This is such an important issue to bring to light to so many who do not understand why NATO is important and the crucial role our relationships with other countries play. I visited the Soviet Union in 1982 and the people themselves were warm and friendly in the midst of their difficulties. I was so hopeful that the changes that Gorbachev later made would keep contributing to world peace. So sad that Putin is buddying up to the incoming administration.
Thank you for this information. Spy programs (from any nation) often have real consequences for the world. Since Putin amassed power back in the early 00’s I have always felt we were getting closer to the Cold War pt. 2.
Thank you Sharon. This is enlightening and kinda frightening. I grieve for Russians who do not want to live under this regime. And I worry for all Americans in Russia!
"the future of the United States is impacted by what happens in this region of the world"
This is a really important note to end on, because no matter what we decide to do or not to do outside of our borders (and there is a robust discussion to be had there!) we don't get to opt out of how that affects us, our economy, our national security, etc.
I agree Emily. I don’t think the people who are pro isolationism realize that doesn’t stop other countries from wanting a piece of the United States. If we shut out the rest of the world, would they come help us if another country attacks us? Or if they would, where are they now since their biggest and strongest ally let them fall? In my opinion, we depend on other countries too much to say “let’s just focus on the US! No wars and nothing made in other countries except USA.” This is by no means me saying I support us getting into every war. My husband is active duty and I like him home and safe 😬 just a difficult position to be in when the United States has the best military in the world and other countries depend on us to fight for them and if we don’t, democracies may die off
Also, just based off my very distant high school knowledge of a country that tried isolationism, Japan, that didn’t end very well for them.
This was a very important article and I cannot understand why it was not a much larger story in our news at the time.
Also- it makes me wonder about the network of people in our own government that might be victims of this- as well as those who might be partners.
Hi Sharon, thank you for such an insightful piece. I was generally aware of some of these stories, but I hadn’t yet had the dots connected so clearly.
The trend you describe—Russia weaponizing baseless arrests of foreigners to orchestrate swaps for Russians charged with far more serious crimes—is deeply unsettling. Not only does it incentivize acts of violence against innocent people, but it also has a chilling effect on anyone considering actions contrary to Putin’s interests. Furthermore, it undermines the credibility of countries that adhere to international rules, making them appear weak in the face of authoritarian regimes. All of these forces work in Russia’s favor at our expense.
It seems clear that taking a hardline stance against prisoner swaps could help deter such situations, effectively telling people that travel to authoritarian countries that they do so at their own risk. But I’m curious: what do you think the broader implications of such policies might be? Do you see alternative strategies the United States could use to flip this script?
Approaching WWII, Neville Chamberlain (U.K.) famously appeases Hitler, promising England's neutrality and non-intervention. Hitler, of course breaks his promise in that deal to refrain from attacking England. Chamberlain goes down in history as (to use 'pedestrian' verbiage) a 'dolt.' Only a fool would believe Hitler an honorable person who would uphold his end of a treaty. I fear Trump and Putin are the current day Chamberlain and Hitler, respectively.
I knew the Russian government was bad news but I didn't know it was to this extent.
How big a threat, and I don't necessarily mean in the sense of open conflict, is Russia to the United States? And how does the incoming president's unusual relationship with Putin affect that threat?
This is yet another example of what seems so obvious to me and yet appears to be bizarrely not obvious to Trump supporters. NATO keeps the free world free. Ukraine remaining free is of utmost importance to the free world. Russia does not wish us to remain free. If the U.S. sits on the sidelines while Russia continues its move into the free world - the U.S. will be bereft of allies to protect our freedom.
Sharon, thank you so much for this information. It’s a good reminder to all of us, with a new administration coming on, that we need to stay with NATO and keep supporting our NATO allies.
Exactly and what do we peasants do to get that across?
Exactly, thank you Sharon!
Thank you. This is such an important issue to bring to light to so many who do not understand why NATO is important and the crucial role our relationships with other countries play. I visited the Soviet Union in 1982 and the people themselves were warm and friendly in the midst of their difficulties. I was so hopeful that the changes that Gorbachev later made would keep contributing to world peace. So sad that Putin is buddying up to the incoming administration.
Thank you for this information. Spy programs (from any nation) often have real consequences for the world. Since Putin amassed power back in the early 00’s I have always felt we were getting closer to the Cold War pt. 2.
Thank you Sharon. This is enlightening and kinda frightening. I grieve for Russians who do not want to live under this regime. And I worry for all Americans in Russia!
Thank you.
I did not know all the connections here. Thank you for putting this all together
What happened to Brittany?
She was released in a prisoner swap for an arms dealer in Dec 2022. Her memoir Coming Home was released this year.