Snowden's situation, the G20 summit, and Russia's involvement

Approaching G20 credibility may face a shake-up due to the Snowden affair, with the upcoming summit looming near, amidst a series of crises that have impacted the reputation of the IMF.

, and Administrator

2025 September 11 . 3:37 PM

1 min read

The Disclosure by Snowden, International G20 Summit, and Russia's Involvement

Snowden's situation, the G20 summit, and Russia's involvement

In the aftermath of the global financial crisis in 2008 and 2009, world leaders repeatedly offered soothing words, claiming that another Great Depression would not repeat. However, Edward Snowden, a former contractor for U.S. intelligence services, revealed that these claims were far from reality.

Snowden's revelations, collectively known as the Snowden Affair, took place in Russia and involved his departure from Moscow Airport. His departure, which was met with a warm welcome in Russia, disappointed U.S. President Barack Obama.

The Snowden Affair is closely related to the Prism affair, and Snowden's disclosures showed that the claims about international cooperation being better institutionalized were not accurate. In fact, prolonged periods of tension erode the fabric of institutional cooperation.

The Snowden Affair also had a significant impact on the credibility of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Group of Twenty (G20). Both institutions, which were seemingly the most dynamic and effective during the crisis, saw their credibility seriously undermined.

The Guardian fought back after David Miranda's detention, which is also part of the Snowden Affair. Miranda, a partner of Snowden's lawyer, was detained at London's Heathrow Airport under the Terrorism Act in 2013.

Harold James, the author of the article, discusses the Snowden Affair and its implications on global politics and international institutions. The Snowden Affair serves as a stark reminder of the importance of transparency and accountability in the face of power and authority.

In the end, the Snowden Affair highlights the need for a renewed commitment to truthfulness and integrity from global leaders, as well as a re-evaluation of the institutions that are meant to guide us through times of crisis.