VLADIMIR PUTIN TO EDWARD SNOWDEN: STOP HURTING OUR AMERICAN PARTNERS!

THE SPYING GAME  

I 

VLADIMIR PUTIN 

SETS TERMS 

II 
EDWARD SNOWDEN ACCEPTS 
IS GRANTED RUSSIAN VISA 

III 
WASHINGTON IS UNHAPPY 

IV 
ONGOING 

UPDATE 
A difference that can be split (still in the balance): 
Go to the G20; skip any Moscow summit; see, e.g., here. 

UPDATE II (August 7, 2013) 
President Obama did split the difference: 
Yes to G20, no to Moscow summit (here). 

ANGELA MERKEL IS FIFTY-NINE

ANGELA MERKEL 

b. July 17, 1954 

ROMANO PRODI, 
ANGELA MERKEL, 
AND TONY BLAIR (l-r) 

G8 Summit, St. Petersburg, Russia, July 2006 

At the time, Romano Prodi was Prime Minister of Italy, and Tony Blair was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.  Both have since left office.  Angela Blair, then as now, was and is Chancellor of Germany.  In seven weeks or so, she is due to head back to St. Petersburg and the Constantine Palace for this year's G20 summit, hosted by Russia. 

Angela Merkel in the news today: facing elections in September,  still "the most popular politician in the country by far...," here.