In a surprise move today, Marc Fogle, an American schoolteacher who has been imprisoned in Russia since 2021, was released from custody and is on his way home.

Arrested in August of 2021, when he was found with 0.6 ounces of medical marijuana, Fogel has been passed over for exchange for more than three years because he had not been officialy declared by the U.S. government as “wrongfully detained” — a designation that must be applied before negotiations for release can be undertaken. The reason for the delay is not known; but in October of 2024, then-Secretary of State Antony Blinken made it official, and negotiations have been underway since then.

And now — in a politically-motivated show of goodwill between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump — Russia has thrown the U.S. a diplomatic bone by releasing just one of the many prisoners being held on bogus charges in Russian prisons and penal colonies. And Trump has wasted no time in claiming credit for Fogel’s release. The following statement has been released by White House national security adviser Mike Waltz:

“Today, President Donald J. Trump and his Special Envoy Steve Witkoff are able to announce that Mr. Witkoff is leaving Russian airspace with Marc Fogel, an American who was detained by Russia. President Trump, Steve Witkoff and the President’s advisors negotiated an exchange that serves as a show of good faith from the Russians and a sign we are moving in the right direction to end the brutal and terrible war in Ukraine.” [Michelle Stoddart and Nathan Luna, ABC News, February 11, 2025.] [Bold emphasis is mine.]

Wait a second . . . “negotiated an exchange”??!!! Exchange for what? Or whom? There is something missing from the White House’s announcement . . . several things, actually. Such as, what precipitated the sudden act of generosity on Putin’s part? Why now? And what is he getting in return?

Because Vladimir Putin does nothing for nothing.

*. *. *

In any event — and putting politics aside for the moment — Marc Fogel’s release is wonderful news. And, as I happily delete his name from my list of remaining hostages, I would like to be among the many to say:

“Welcome home, Marc. It’s about time!”

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
2/11/25