Whistleblower Edward Snowden has said unequivocally that the Russian government is “corrupt” in an interview with the German daily Süddeutsche Zeitung. Russia gave him sanctuary in 2013 after he released classified NSA documents, which were he extradited to the USA would see him facing three charges under the Espionage Act, carrying a minimum of 30 years in jail. Despite the upcoming summit between Trump and Putin he stuck his neck out to say: “The Russian government is corrupt in many ways, that’s something the Russian people realise. Russian people are warm. They are clever. It’s a beautiful country. Their government is the problem not the people.” Asked about WikiLeaks Julian Assange, Snowden said: “I’m a reformist, he’s a revolutionary. I don’t want to burn the system down, if I believe it can still be saved.”
Born 21 June 1983 4.42 am Elizabeth City, North Carolina, he has an assertive and communicative Sun Mars North Node in Gemini in his 1st house opposition Neptune and trine an unyielding, tough-minded and angry Saturn Pluto in Libra in his attention-seeking 5th house. The Neptune Pluto and North Node tied together would make him destined to be in the centre of the zeitgeist with heady ambitions. He’s also got Mercury in Gemini opposition an adventurous Jupiter Uranus in crusading Sagittarius.
His leaving-a-legacy 17H is strong with a Grand Trine of Mercury trine Neptune trine Mars, formed into a Kite by Neptune opposition MC; and a T square of Jupiter opposition Mars square Sun.
But he’ll pay the price for his actions with no easy way out ahead. Tr Pluto stays trapped in his 8th until the mid 2020s; with tr Saturn joining it from later this year for two years which will be especially discouraging. By 2020 his Solar Arc Saturn Pluto starts a four-year collision with his Jupiter Uranus which will damp his spirits further. His Solar Arc MC squares his Mars within a few weeks which could generate a shock; with several undermining, uncertain Neptune transits to midpoints this year and through till 2020.
He doesn’t have any planets Earth signs so perhaps he didn’t think through the practical consequences of what would happen after his leak. Being landed in Russia is a grim irony for someone who believes in transparency and freedom of information. And starting off in China-ruled Hong Kong wasn’t too smart either.
His relationship chart with Vladimir Putin has a fateful Yod of composite Sun (Moon) sextile Saturn inconjunct Mars; with Mars oppositions Pluto Uranus Venus – so a volcanic interface. With another Yod of Neptune sextile Pluto inconjunct North Node. Hugely stressed, with power and control a central feature. 2019/2020 look to be raising the tension between them, though there’s nothing definitive showing up until 2022/23.
Putin’s Pluto is conjunct Snowden’s IC opposition his midheaven, so anchoring him to the spot; with Putin’s pumped-up Mars conjunct Snowden’s Neptune which despite the sanctuary offered, does not make it a mutually supportive relationship.
Pic: Laura Poitras
Snowden is not this naive. I’ve seen and read countless interviews of various leakers, and he comes across as by far the most intelligent and, missing a better word here, “worldly”. Many people with ties to Intelligence Communities seem to think he was an asset to begin with. Therefore, it would be interesting to know did he actually mention Putin in that interview? Because if not, this is a huge distinction. It’s perfectly acceptable, and in fact, sometimes desireable, to talk about generic “Governmental Corruption” in Russia. This usually precedes breaking of a major scandal and setting a fall guy, just ask Bill Browder (I’ve come to the conclusion his “conversion” is genuine). It seems that Kremlin might be preparing for the Russian governmental interferance to US 2016 Elections and Brexit is becoming impossible to deny from large parts of audience in these countries, and even in Russia. Aaron Banks’ ties to Russian Embassy have been proven to be extensive by journalists in Britain and The US. Paul Manafort is in the verge of talking (and Michael Flynn probably already has). And even if Mueller staff doesn’t talk, many journalists tell their sources at US DOJ tell to expect busy July.
If this happens, Snowden is doing Putin’s bidding legitimizing his side of the story, with “rogue” operatives within Russian Government going against his will on Election meddling in advance. Again, this is a classic KGB move.
He’s pretty dominated by Putin, presumably in fear of his life apart from anything else so did seem strange. The August Leo Eclipse catches their composite Sun, maybe Moon – so interesting to watch and see.
Absolutely, but most likely used as “controlled opposition” exactly for that reason. People want to forget it now, but people took Julian Assange very seriously as a reputable opposition voice to Western Governments for a long time. He has now been burned, and his tragedy is he really seems to think Americans will torture him at Guantanamo for the rest of his days, when surrending himself to them would probably still be his best chance.
Snowden, though, is less paranoid, and could indeed make some sort of a deal as his usefulness to Putin runs out – and that would be the moment Trump lifts sanction and gets Congress to recognize Crimea as a part of Russia. Possible window for this is between McCain’s (what ever else you think of him, he is truly principaled when it comes to Ukraine) death and November Elections.
I also have to add I’m absolutely horrified by this Trump-Putin Summit, and really, every European should be.Trump was serious about dismantling NATO to start with, unlike most people thought. I was more hopeful Military Industrial Complex would stop him, but Adults In The Room are all but gone now. This would absolutely be where he would start and could start, since he really wouldn’t have that power over EU. It would probably divide GOP, but all he cares about are 2020 Elections. The falldown from withdrawing from Germany would follow around 2021-2022, soonest.
Me too. It’s ominous how reckless is hardly the word but seriously out of control Trump is. A wrecker.
Would Putin perhaps hand him over to the US as a sign of goodwill, in this ever changing world?
Up the creek with no paddle. Not very wise.