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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsDid the tRump State Department give up Paul Whelan to Putin for exchange?
Why is our government so quiet about this? Did tRump tell Putin this Whelan guy was a spy so he could get Butina out of the US? There's no way we would trade Butina, right? Putin said he doesn't even know who she is. Why not a word from Pompeo? This could get interesting.
Rocky888
(297 posts)He is probably corrupt, there are no honest Americans doing business with Russians under Putin.
mitch96
(13,927 posts)You take my spy, I take one of yours..... Just happened with Canada and China....
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Hekate
(90,849 posts)...to use as a pawn for exchange.
My guess: this is about Maria Butina, who really is a spy.
Blue_true
(31,261 posts)Has she done exactly what they wanted her to do, get lots of leaders compromised then turn them in to create chaos? Or has she panicked and gave up what Putin didn't want given up, so he wants her disappeared? The interesting thing will be what choice she makes, if she goes back, she did what Putin wanted, if she seeks witness protection here, she gave up what they didn't want her to give up.
Hekate
(90,849 posts)Blue_true
(31,261 posts)Did that include flipping? Maybe so, if so, she is more than some 29 year old, she is a hardened master spy. I think Putin wants our government in chaos and citizens questioning the legitimacy of government, maybe by talking down a political party (republicans) and incriminating influential groups on the right, she accomplished what he sent her to do, if so, she is now as rich as Anna Chapman once she gets back home. The Russians would have successfully used an ages old trap, the honeytrap.
Hekate
(90,849 posts)Blue_true
(31,261 posts)Any men can fall into that trap.
Hekate
(90,849 posts)He is likely nothing of the sort, and is simply a pawn to offer in exchange for Butina.
I have no idea how many American men the redheaded gun-rights activist honey-trapped here in America, but I am sure that Mueller knows.
PeeJ52
(1,588 posts)THEY is tRump and the NRA. THEY don't want her testifying in court cases against them in the future so they are wanting Russia to get here out of the US.
Blue_true
(31,261 posts)It would be horrible if someone like her gets whacked in that program, the Marshal Service will work their asses off to insure that does not happen, IMO.
onecaliberal
(32,916 posts)triron
(22,025 posts)Crutchez_CuiBono
(7,725 posts)give red testicle and putin time alone. Seems very convenient for butina.
roamer65
(36,747 posts)Untimely auto accident or such.