This performance piece has nothing to do with starting a discussion of surveillance in Russia. And exceedingly little to do with Snowden, who is a lamed pawn on a chessboard.
This has everything to do with Vladimir V. Putin flexing his muscles, tweeking the US’ nose, reminding them that, in addition to being able to being able to do whatever he wants in Crimea and Ukraine: I have Edward Snowden, I have Edward Snowden. And, see how effortlessly I can get him to perform for me?
Snowden is an outsider in Russia. He has no access to the actual surveillance situation there, nor can he “reveal” anything. All he can do is dutifully ask the right questions, to which the patient and helpful Putin will respond with all the right (and unverifiable) answers. Joe Stalin couldn’t have staged it any better. A perfect propaganda play.
