Yes, there is reason to celebrate. But this is day 300 of the hostages held in Gaza.
In a historic prisoner swap, the US and Russia and other allies have agreed to exchange 24 people, four of them US citizens, at least 12 Germans, and five Russians to return to their home nations.
It is a dramatic diplomatic coup, and this administration deserves to take a victory lap.
Yet the cynic in me emerges. I had a blog ready for the press about Evan Gershkovich when he was convicted in Russia last month, as compared to the Britney Griner return. Her return was laudable, as all US citizens should be brought home by all means, especially when they are innocent of any crime. So, I have to throw that editorial out. Old news.
Biden and Harris by extension should downplay this success for three reasons by acting modestly and as if it is all routine. This is the same advice I give Trump about the assassination attempt. Let others crow about your good fortune and heroism.
First reason to be humble: The press can’t gush enough about this, but it should be tempered by the fact that there are still many innocent Americans held in Russia except they are not famous… or journalists. Three of the US freed are journalists, and if that profession worships any people in the world it is their heroic own. They love themselves.
Second, this clearly helps not just Biden’s relevancy but the ascendant Harris campaign. The timing is too obvious for me.
Putin knows a Trump presidency will force a negotiated peace deal with Ukraine. Putin would have to acquiesce as he is the world’s pariah and it is the only logical face-saving solution for all parties.
But a Harris victory in November? Putin will annex all of Ukraine within a year, which guarantees that all of our US tax dollars were wasted. The 12 German returnees were not by accident, either. Putin is gaining a favorite assassin and sowing left-handed goodwill amongst NATO. Very shrewd.
But this is a temporary sideshow.
Last reason to stay humble, Joe and Kamala: there are still 8 US hostages being held dead or alive in Gaza, along with over 100 Israelis.
Israel’s bold strokes in the last couple days are seismic and the region may explode. I hope we are ready. This prisoner exchange will be forgotten, soon.
Pray for Israel.
Peace. Out.
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