Punditry StaffThe trade was anything but fair. On one side, the United States gave up a notorious arms dealer who spread death and chaos under orders from the Kremlin, and on the other an innocent basketball player whose mistake was to travel to Russia trusting that her hosts would treat her with respect and honor. All she got was a rigged sentencing whose aim was to eventually use Griner as a pawn to free the Russian arms dealer. Was it wrong to trade such a high profile thug for Brittney Griner? No, it was not because Brittney is an American citizen and we should always aspire to stand for our own in their time of need. So, welcome home Brittney Griner. We hope you put this tragic episode of your life behind you to build a new start full of prosperity.
On the surface, trading for Griner was easy. One person for another. With regard to other American hostages other horrible dictators hold against their will, the demands are so egregious that the U.S. Government cannot possibly trade.
We are talking about Baschar al-Assad of Syria holding Austin Tice hostage.
So, while we all want to see Austin Tice come home to his family, unless we have a Bout to trade for, it will remain an elusive goal.
THE AUSTIN TICE SAGA
In the case of Austin Tice Assad has kidnapped and has been holding against his will since August 14, 2012, the demands for his release are two-folds. Assad is demanding that the United States exits Syria before it completes its mission of nipping at the bud the threat of ISIS. One mission Assad will not finish to use ISIS to threaten western interests.
Furthermore, Assad is demanding the lifting of all U.S. sanctions against Syria to hold him accountable for crimes against humanity. Incidentally, Assad and Putin are very close and Russia has a whole fleet of ships stationed in Syria.
These demands are impossible to meet, which makes the Tice case much more difficult to resolve. However, we have always advocated, in the past, that to free Tice, the United States must indict and prosecute a member of Assad’s immediate family to use to trade for Tice.Many of them reside in the United Kingdom and have broken many laws, yet, no one seems to pay attention to this sleepy matter.
So, while we all want to see Austin Tice come home to his family, unless we have a Bout to trade for, it will remain an elusive goal.
In the meantime, we all welcome home Brittney Griner. Just in time to celebrate Christmas with her family and loved ones.
Welcome Home Brittney Griner
Punditry Staff
