Hmm. Now why would a reporter on a liberal network preface his criticism of the Biden administration’s handling of the Brittney Griner/Paul Whelan case by stating, “sorry to say it?”
Today’sMorning Joe, senior NBC international correspondent Keir Simmons discussed the potential swap of Griner and Whelan for a Russian arms dealer. Simmons noted the criticism the Russians have made of the way the Biden White House has conducted “loudspeaker” negotiations—making public its offer to trade a Russian arms dealer in return for Griner and Whelan. Simmons also observed that Simmons was right to point out the fact that Simmons “agreed” with Whelan and Griner about trading a Russian arms dealer.Negotiating publicly is an unusual way to do business.
Simmons, Said
“It is [pauses hesitantly]We are sorry.It is a good example of inside-the Beltway political, smart and likely intelligent from the White House’s point of view. Geopolitics is not a good idea.
This is why it’s so important to be clear The White House believed they had to mention, especially, “I suspect” Before the midtermsThey claimed that all they did was possible to secure Brittney Griner’s and Paul Whelan’s freedom. . . However, public negotiation is an unusual way to bargain.
Simmons spoke thus two truths. The White House was not the only one that Biden used to negotiate with the public. Bad “geopolitics”This was because of craven motives:“Ahead the midterms.”
He said, “What the Russians want to do is embarrass America.” Once again they try to portray America as weak. They will use this opportunity to show America weakness by saying “Okay, I’ll take that.” We want this. “We will stand strong until we obtain what we need.”
Jonathan Lemire of MSNBC tried his best, channeling Biden sources to defend White House. Although he acknowledged that it was unusual for the Biden White House to be so public, he said that it is not uncommon.This was the only way it could be. As a response. The pressure was too much for themFrom the rest of the nation.”
Sorry, Jonathan, but caving to public pressure is rarely a good way to conduct foreign policy, particularly with a ruthless adversary like Russia.
This segment was sponsored in part by Sling, Red Lobster, Ring, Sleep Number, Angi, and Xfinity.
You can find the transcription here.
MSNBC
Morning Joe
8/5/22
6:36 am EDTMIKA BRZEZINSKI : Now the attention turns to potential prisoner swaps in Washington and Moscow. This morning, Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov said the Kremlin is ready to talk through an existing back channel after no substantive response to a U.S. offer for Griner’s release made in June. NBC News reported previously that Griner and Paul Whelan were being held in Russia as part of a deal to swap Griner for Viktor Bout, a Russian arms dealer.
Keir Simmons (NBC News international senior correspondent) joins us. Keir: Any more information on potential terms of the deal and whether it is being considered seriously by Russia?
KEIR SIMMONS – Well Mika. I believe the Russians do take it seriously. I do think we have some brutal politics in the future, however. Now, Sergey LavrovHe does, however, say that he is available for conversation, just like you stated. His other statement was that heHe criticized America’s “public diplomacy”.This is what comes next [Putin press secretary] Dmitri Peskov was critical of what he called loudspeaker diplomaticyAnd Again, the spokeswoman for the foreign ministry criticized the White House because it made all of this public.
What do I mean? It’s not common for the White House openly to put the topic on the table.The offer they are offering. I predict that Russia will view this as a starting point. It doesn’t seem like they will be ready to offer a two-for-1 deal.
I suspect that they are going to look at the deal with Trevor Reed, where a drug trafficker, Konstantin Yaroshenko, was swapped for Trevor Reed. Then they will say it was one for one. Now, let’s do one-for-one.
And,This is [pauses hesitantly]We are sorry.It is a good example of inside-the Beltway political, smart and likely intelligent, as seen from the White House perspective’s insider-the Beltway politics. This is bad geopolitics.
This is why it’s so obvious that theThe White House believed that it was necessary to show, especially, “I suspect” Before the midtermsThey said that they did everything in their power to ensure Brittney Griner, Paul Whelan’s safety. However, it is being publicly criticised by the Russians.
Brittney Griner is being harmed by the Russians, let’s not forget that. That’s an awful sentence. However, publicly negotiating is an extremely strange way of negotiating. Keep in mind that the Russians want to humiliate the White House. The Russians are trying to demonstrate America’s weakness once more. This will be an opportunity for them to turn around and say, “Okay. That’s what I offer.” This is the outcome we desire. We will not give up until we achieve what we desire.
JONATHAN LEMIRE – So Keir you are right in that It is not common for the White House to have a public appearance., However, [inaudible]I was told that it must be As a response. The pressure was too much for themThe rest of the country. They had been quiet for most of the time she was detained. But then, it became clear that there was so much pressure on them to take action and do something. But you’re right, there’s some concern it may not be successful.
SIMMONS: This is understandable. It is easy to understand the politics of the U.S.
LEMIRE: Undeniable.
SIMMONS: Brittney Griner is not Brittney. It does not help Brittney’s case in my honest opinion.
LEMIRE: You might not be right.
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