Why would the Kremlin arrest an American reporter for the WSJ? Hmmmm. Not an unreasonable question even if Russya's recent past demonstrates policy that does so. Ann Simmons, Moskva Bureau Chief for the WS Journal explained in a 1-page open letter to readers. In it she explains obvious reasons: Mr. Gershkovich is fluent in the language at a very high level, able to understand cultural nuance like a native speaker; his family has Russyan roots, which helps when interviewing citizens about various topics; he is young, smart, and hard-working with significant experience in journalism; and he goes into the field to cover topics of import here and abroad. His arrest reminds readers of the case of former Ambassador Michael McFaul who was declared persona non grata by Putin while he was out of the country, thus making his return impossible.
Mr. Gershkovich will be released in time, but he will then leave and will be unable to return to Russya where he might ask more questions and get truthful answers as opposed to answers that the Kremlin gives to its citizens and the world.
Thank you, Ms. Simmons for the illumination in this case. It sheds light on the Kremlin's behaviors and policies. It underscores national weakness in Russya and ongoing problems that run deep through the entire population of the largest country in the world and neighbor of Communist China.
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