Episode
How Brittney Griner Became a Political Pawn
29:36
Published: Wed Jul 06 2022
Description
Brittney Griner, the American W.N.B.A. star who has been detained in Russia since February, recently sent a letter to President Biden. “I’m terrified I might be here forever,” she wrote.The White House vowed to use “every tool” to bring Ms. Griner back to the United States, but organizing her release is a tricky proposition, complicated not least by Washington’s break with Moscow over the war in Ukraine.Guest: Michael Crowley, a diplomatic correspondent for The New York Times.Want more from The Daily? For one big idea on the news each week from our team, subscribe to our newsletter. Background reading: Brittney Griner has endured months in a Russian prison and faces the threat of years more.Her letter to Mr. Biden asked him to keep her case in mind. “I realize you are dealing with so much, but please don’t forget about me and the other American detainees. Please do all you can to bring us home,” she wrote.For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
Chapters
The podcast explores Paul Whelan's arrest in Moscow and the complicated decision-making process for the family and supporters of someone who is detained overseas.
00:00 - 05:53 (05:53)
Summary
The podcast explores Paul Whelan's arrest in Moscow and the complicated decision-making process for the family and supporters of someone who is detained overseas.
EpisodeHow Brittney Griner Became a Political Pawn
PodcastThe Daily
When a U.S. citizen is arrested in a foreign country, they are granted access to someone from the embassy, who can get more info about the situation, make sure they have a lawyer, and are being treated well; things get complicated when countries are in conflict.
05:53 - 15:00 (09:06)
Summary
When a U.S. citizen is arrested in a foreign country, they are granted access to someone from the embassy, who can get more info about the situation, make sure they have a lawyer, and are being treated well; things get complicated when countries are in conflict.
EpisodeHow Brittney Griner Became a Political Pawn
PodcastThe Daily
US officials avoided confirming any potential pardon deal for Viktor Bout, a notorious arms dealer currently serving 25 years in US prison for conspiring to kill US citizens, stating that they don't want to incentivize bad behavior.
15:01 - 25:35 (10:34)
Summary
US officials avoided confirming any potential pardon deal for Viktor Bout, a notorious arms dealer currently serving 25 years in US prison for conspiring to kill US citizens, stating that they don't want to incentivize bad behavior. Despite the pressure to pardon him, his controversial reputation and past dealings with terrorist organizations makes it difficult for the White House to consider a deal, potentially satisfying Putin and his history of stoke social division in the United States.
EpisodeHow Brittney Griner Became a Political Pawn
PodcastThe Daily
A gunman kills six people in Plymouth, England, and police revealed that they had seized weapons from the shooter in 2019.
25:41 - 29:29 (03:48)
Summary
A gunman kills six people in Plymouth, England, and police revealed that they had seized weapons from the shooter in 2019. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister of Britain, Boris Johnson, faced pressure as his party MPs resigned over allegations of giving jobs to individuals accused of inappropriate conduct.