Profile In Focus | Wikileaks - Part 29 (May 2022 - December 2022)
Russia Is A Terrorist State: Part 2 (2000s)
Profile In Focus | Wikileaks - Part 29 (May 2022 - December 2022)
“P1180535 (49406575697)” by slowking4 under CC BY-SA 2.0.
From May to December 2022, the story of WikiLeaks and its founder, Julian Assange, continued to capture attention and spark controversy. In June, the UK approved Assange's extradition to the United States, where he faced charges related to his role in publishing classified government documents. This decision generated widespread debate about whether Assange was a journalist or a spy.
Assange's case became even more complicated when a former CIA staffer was convicted for a massive data breach to WikiLeaks. This incident raised questions about the source of WikiLeaks' leaked information and the potential consequences for those involved. However, WikiLeaks faced its own challenges when it launched a new submissions portal that didn't work properly, hindering its ability to receive new leaks.
In September, Russian President Vladimir Putin granted Russian citizenship to another prominent figure involved in leaking classified information, Edward Snowden. This decision added another layer of intrigue to the ongoing saga of whistleblowers and government secrets.
In October, musician Roger Waters claimed to be on a Ukrainian "kill list," drawing attention to the dangers faced by those involved in controversial leaks and revelations. Meanwhile, former US President Donald Trump appealed a judge's dismissal of his lawsuit against Hillary Clinton and ex-FBI officials over the Russia probe. This legal battle showcased the political tensions surrounding the issue and the ongoing fallout from the 2016 US presidential election.
In the midst of these events, Chelsea Manning, who had previously shared secrets with WikiLeaks, shared her own story. Her perspective shed light on the personal and ethical dilemmas faced by those who expose classified information.
As the year drew to a close, WikiLeaks faced technical difficulties with its website, raising concerns about the organization's ability to function effectively. Additionally, it was revealed that Pentagon Papers whistleblower Daniel Ellsberg had served as WikiLeaks' secret back-up, emphasizing the historical connections between the organization and previous leaks of classified information.
Amidst these developments, discussions around government secrecy, transparency, and the role of whistleblowers continued to shape public discourse. The story of WikiLeaks and Julian Assange remained a topic of intrigue and controversy, with no definitive resolution in sight.
Written in part in collaboration with ChatGPT on June 5, 2023
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Putin Is A War Criminal
Russia Is A Terrorist State:
Part 1 (1990s)
Part 2 (2000s)
Part 3 (2011 - 2016)
Part 4 (2016 - 2019)
Part 5 (2020 - 2021)
Part 6 (2022+)
Sources for Profile In Focus | Wikileaks - Part 29 (May 2022 - December 2022):
The Surreal Case of a C.I.A. Hacker’s Revenge - The New Yorker June 6, 2022
UK approves WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange’s extradition to U.S. - CNBC June 17, 2022
Factbox: WikiLeaks' founder Julian Assange - Reuters June 17, 2022
Former CIA Staffer Convicted For Massive Data Breach To WikiLeaks - Forbes July 13, 2022
WikiLeaks finally launched a new submissions portal—it doesn’t work - daily dot July 13, 2022
Putin Grants Russian Citizenship to US Document Leaker Snowden - VOA News September 26, 2022
Putin grants Russian citizenship to Edward Snowden - NPR September 26, 2022
Roger Waters: I’m on a Ukrainian ‘Kill List’ - Rolling Stone October 4, 2022
WikiLeaks' Website Is Falling Apart - GIZMODO November 22, 2022
What Musk and Co. Want You to Forget About #TwitterFiles - Mother Jones December 6, 2022