The US is Å“a world-class bully” that Å“wants everything its way” but it cannot Å“bully around” countries like Russia very easily, says Stephen Lendman, American author and radio host.
American whistleblower Edward Snowden, who was holed up in the transit zone of Moscowâ„¢s Sheremetyevo airport for more than a month, was allowed Thursday to leave the airport after Russia granted him temporary asylum.
Å“Itâ„¢s temporary asylum for one year but hereâ„¢s the important thing: it could be renewed annually. He can stay in Russia permanently if he wishes. He can make Russia his new home,” said Lendman in a phone interview with Press TV on Thursday.
Documents provided by Snowden, a former contractor with the US National Security Agency, has blown the lid on a number of secret programs run by the US government for collecting information on Americansâ„¢ phone calls and data about Internet activities of all people around the world.
Å“Snowden did a heroic thing. He acted courageously. He connected the dots for millions,” said Lendman. Å“Heâ„¢s a world hero. Heâ„¢s a Noble Peace Prize nominee for 2014.”
Lendman says he believes that Russiaâ„¢s granting temporary asylum to Snowden would not affect US-Russia relations.
Å“I donâ„¢t think it will affect US-Russian bilateral relations anymore than they are affected already,” he said.
Å“There are much, much bigger fish to fry. America has encircled Russia with military bases. It targets Russia with so-called missile defense that are offense. Snowdenâ„¢s a side issue,” Lendman added.
ISH/ARA
Republished from: Press TV