Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Two were martyred in an initial toll of the Israeli drone strike that targeted the al-Asira neighborhood in the city of Baalbek, eastern Lebanon
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: An Israeli drone strike targeted the al-Asira neighborhood east of Baalbek, eastern Lebanon
Sheikh Naim Qassem to the pager attack survivors: You are the greatest resistance. Know that 'Israel' will fall because it embodies aggression, crime, and occupation; victory is truly yours
Sheikh Qassem to the pager attack survivors: The value of what you are doing despite your wounds is immense, and here you are, treading the path of the Master of Nation's Martyrs and the leaders
Sheikh Qassem to the pager attack survivors: You are moving forward with insight deeper than sight itself. The enemy sought to eliminate your role in the battle, yet you remain steadfast and continue the fight
Hezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem to the pager attack survivors one year later: You are healing from your wounds and rising above them. You have successfully passed the test
Palestinian media: Reports of stabbing operation in occupied al-Quds.
Israeli media: Sirens blare in Arava in South, near Ramon Airport.
Egyptian PM Mostafa Madbouli: Egypt is targeted in plans to redraw regional map
AEOI Chief Mohammad Eslami: Our presence in IAEA General Council and fact-checking helped in preventing unilateral rhetoric that aims to portray Iran as an unregulated country

Biden faces pressure within administration over Griner release

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 11 Dec 2022 10:43
3 Min Read

Will tensions grow wider between the GOP and democrats over Biden or will his own administration be the end of him?

  • x
  • US President Joe Biden (CNBC)
    US President Joe Biden (CNBC)

Media outlets reported that pressure is looming over US President Joe Biden from his own administration as a result of the prisoner swap between basketball player Brittney Griner from Russia and Russian businessman Viktor Bout.

The “intense and painstaking negotiations” that led to the prisoner swap were praised by Biden on Thursday but, according to a Washington Post report, the US Department of Justice held the belief that the prisoner swap was a mistake due to the large discrepancy of the charges between the two individuals. The Washington Post quoted one department official as saying that “trading a notorious international arms dealer for a basketball player is madness."

The White House denied last Thursday that Saudi Arabia had any involvement with the release of Griner, contradicting a joint statement issued earlier by the president of the UAE and the Saudi Crown Prince that they led mediation efforts to secure Griner's release.

"The only countries that negotiated this deal were the US and Russia," White House Press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said when asked about Saudi Arabia's role. "There was no mediation involved."

Related News

Al Mayadeen obtains draft barring attacks on IAEA-monitored facilities

Oil prices rise on Russia supply fears and Fed policy outlook

'A gift to Vladimir Putin'

However, the case of prisoner Paul Whelan, a US marine veteran serving a 16-year sentence in Russia on espionage charges, has caused a stir and is labeled as being "forgotten". On that, Biden commented “we’ve not forgotten about Paul Whelan, who has been unjustly detained in Russia for years” as he threw blame at Russia for treating Whelan differently than Griner for “totally illegitimate reasons."

It was a one-for-one prisoner exchange as Russia released Griner for Bout, but they refused to release Whelan unless Vadim Krasikov, a former colonel, was also released from custody in Germany. CNN reported that Germany did not show the will to do so. The spy's brother David Whelan did state that the Biden administration's decision to secure Griner’s release was rightly made. 

“He was convicted of conspiring to kill American law enforcement,” soon-to-be House Speaker Kevin McCarthy commented as he expressed fear that Bout will go back to alleged arms dealing, adding, “His release is a gift to Vladimir Putin and a threat to American lives. Leaving Paul Whelan behind for this is unconscionable.”

Republicans have been seeking and using any excuse or mishap to attack Biden and his administration - and the case of Paul Whelan is one of them. 

Griner, who played for Russian side Yekaterinburg during the WNBA off-season, was arrested on February 17 in Russia for possession of cannabis-infused vape cartridges in her luggage. 

Since Cannabis oil is illegal in Russia, Griner was convicted of drug possession and trafficking. She was sentenced on August 4 to nine years behind bars and a fine of 1 million rubles ($16,576) after she pleaded guilty to the charges.

  • Russia
  • US
  • Brittney Griner
  • Prisoner swap
  • Viktor Bout
  • Joe Biden

Most Read

Pro-"Israel" conservative Charlie Kirk shot during Utah speech

American far-right activist Charlie Kirk shot dead during Utah speech

  • US & Canada
  • 11 Sep 2025
Uprising against Volker Turk at the Human Rights Council over Gaza.

Uprising against Volker Turk at the Human Rights Council over Gaza

  • Politics
  • 12 Sep 2025
A screengrab from the ad played on Fox News. (X Screengrab)

Fox airs ad warning Trump not to let Netanyahu 'play' him on Gaza

  • US & Canada
  • 11 Sep 2025
Lapid: Egypt’s Arab Force plan a 'severe blow' to normalization

Lapid: Egypt’s Arab Force plan a 'severe blow' to normalization

  • Palestine
  • 14 Sep 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
Britain Trained Israeli Soldiers Involved in Gaza War: Declassified
Europe

UK training of Israeli officers sparks outcry over Gaza war complicity

Luxembourg's Prime Minister Luc Frieden arrives for an EU summit at the European Council building in Brussels, Thursday, June 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Omar Havana)
Politics

Luxembourg to recognize Palestine at UN summit next week

European Union flags flap in the wind outside EU headquarters in Brussels, Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2025 (AP)
Politics

EU exec. branch to adopt new sanctions against 'Israel' on Wednesday

Charlie Kirk killing suspect faces charges in Utah court hearing
US & Canada

Charlie Kirk murder suspect faces formal charges in Utah court hearing

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS