Give Truth to Allies

During a time when we see America’s finest athletes performing on the world stage, we also got to heartily celebrate the work of America’s finest diplomats whose tireless work around the globe just paid off big time. Yes, as with any deal, there were trade-offs. And Putin provided a troubling reminder that hostage-taking by rogue states can provide leverage. But the scenes at the Joint Base Andrews in Maryland were just great; for those released, for their families, for the people who worked to get this deal done, and for the rest of us. NYT: A Triumphant Biden Welcomes 3 Freed Americans Home.

+ Evan Gershkovich’s most tireless advocate to secure his release: his mother.

+ If you missed it yesterday from the WSJ: Inside the Secret Negotiations to Free Evan Gershkovich.

+ An amazing detail from the other side of the swap. “A family of Russian sleeper agents flown to Moscow in the biggest East-West prisoner swap since the Cold War were so deep under cover that their children found out they were Russians only after the flight took off … The children asked their parents yesterday who it was that was meeting them (in Moscow). They didn’t even know who Putin was.”

+ When it comes to actual news (especially good news), I try to avoid spreading the hogwash from the MAGA crowd. But I’ll make an exception because this is probably the most hilarious, desperate, and pathetic statement issued on any topic in the history of both statements and topics. JD Vance on the released American prisoners: “We have to ask ourselves, why are they coming home? And I think it’s because bad guys all over the world recognize Donald Trump’s about to be back in office, so they’re cleaning house. That’s a good thing, and I think it’s a testament to Donald Trump’s strength.”

+ And that Olympic surfing competition photo just got some competition.