According to Reuters on August 4, a Russian court sentenced US basketball star Britney Grena to nine years in prison after she was found and arrested when she entered the security check at Sheremetyevo Airport in Russia for carrying marijuana.
Foreign media are very concerned about this, believing that it is an Geopolitical whirlpool case in the new " Cold War " period. has risen from a criminal case to a political game, and Moscow and Washington may start a new round of negotiations and confrontations on this matter.
may have been destined to become the focus of the game between the United States and Russia from the very beginning.
In February this year, Grena went to Moscow to participate in the training and competition of the Russian women's basketball team during the off-season of WNBA. It was just the eve of the outbreak of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict.
Given that the K-K Palace has been accusing the United States of raising fire conflicts and considering that the NATO military organization led by the United States will be the biggest military support for Ukraine, the deterioration of US-Russia relations is inevitable.
Until July, the Russian court began the trial process of Grena, and the US media began to hype the matter.
plus MNBA and other associations, groups, and celebrities help to speak out. The fermentation of public opinion is equivalent to roasting White House on the fire.
After the Russian court's judgment, Biden immediately spoke out: "Russia mistakenly detained Britney, which is unacceptable. I call on Russia to release her immediately so that she can be with her wife, relatives, friends and teammates."
public opinion hotspots are nothing more than three factors.
The first factor is that Grena himself is a public figure and has a certain influence.
Grena is a well-known women's basketball player in the US WNBA. This time she was invited to Moscow, which was equivalent to being arrested by the Russian side during her normal working schedule.
Although legally speaking, in a country where marijuana is prohibited from circulation, it is definitely suspected of drug trafficking in her luggage. The complex political background and cultural differences make most Americans not think this is in line with the normal process.
, especially in recent years, the US media reported that "demonized" Putin and Russia , which gave the case a strong smell of political persecution.
The second factor is the Democratic Party’s own difficulties.
Democrats have been promoting drug legalization in the United States and have begun to implement it in many states.
Although the United States has no right to interfere with other countries' legal prohibitions on drugs, this has affected Americans' views on drugs to a certain extent.
According to Greener, she was "accidentally" putting marijuana into her luggage, which should be the way to drop it. Then if other people were so "accidentally" and went to other countries and even other states, would they also be sent to prison for drug trafficking?
The third factor is whether the United States and Russia can successfully "replace prisoners".
Sources have revealed that Washington is willing to exchange arms dealers Victor Butt who have been convicted and served many years in exchange for Greener and Paul, a former US Marine Corps member who was arrested last year (Russia said she was arrested for espionage).
"Customer swap" seems to be a win-win situation, but the United States obviously takes advantage of it.
Victor Butt has been in custody for many years. Even if he is not released at this time, he will be released from prison after a few years. Taking someone who was originally about to be released and exchanged for two people who had just been sentenced will mean that Americans' lives are more expensive?
In fact, the voice of "replacement of prisoners" was in turmoil before the Russian court's judgment, but the Russian side ignored it and made the judgment step by step.
Obviously, the Russian side is not satisfied with the conditions given by the United States.
In short, the Biden administration is undoubtedly in a passive situation. The first time it was not concluded, it means there will be a second and third time.
If military conflicts and economic sanctions are a game of hard power, then this kind of thing is soft power, and it is a very obvious manifestation of win or loss.
If we say that in economic sanctions, the United States and Russia will win and lose each other, we will not be able to see who is the real winner in the short term. Then what kind of result this incident is obviously placed before the public, and people's words are terrifying.
If it were other countries, things might still have room for improvement, but the United States and Russia have no mercy at this stage.
Moscow will refuse to let go of his word one day, and the Biden administration will one day be accused of being incompetent.
At present, Western public opinion does not intend to calm the matter down. Obviously, this is another headache for Biden.
Will Grenader be in prison for nine years in Russia not know, but it is certain that this incident has had a very serious impact on her and her career.
The world is currently in a major change unseen in a century. Turbulence and change are with each other. Most people still think about how to keep themselves alone, which is the best way.
