45. The Leak That Changed The World: America Exposed (Ep 3)
whatshot 29 snips
May 12, 2025
This riveting discussion centers on Edward Snowden's dramatic decision to expose NSA secrets. The hosts delve into his strategic choice of journalists and the ethical complexities of whistleblowing. Tensions rise as they reveal how he navigated secure communication and the emotions in a Hong Kong hotel. Insights into the reactions of journalists add depth to the narrative, highlighting the balance of skepticism and intrigue. They even explore a playful meeting involving a Rubik's Cube, showcasing the blend of humor amidst the gravity of national security revelations.
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Snowden's Secret Escape to Hong Kong
Edward Snowden took emergency medical leave citing epilepsy to secretly leave the US.
He traveled with security gear to Hong Kong to leak the documents safely.
insights INSIGHT
Snowden's Journalist Choice Strategy
Snowden avoided the New York Times due to past government pressure to withhold stories.
He sought journalists with activist backgrounds like Glenn Greenwald, who favored civil liberties.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Greenwald's Hesitation Over Encryption
Snowden contacted Glenn Greenwald anonymously as 'Cincinnatus' but Greenwald delayed using encryption to verify authenticity.
Greenwald struggled with encryption tools, showing his lack of technical comfort despite being an activist journalist.
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No Place to Hide is a 2014 book by Glenn Greenwald that chronicles his role in revealing the NSA's global surveillance practices, as exposed by Edward Snowden. The book delves into the extent of U.S. surveillance, the media's response, and the implications for civil liberties. It provides a detailed account of Greenwald's interactions with Snowden and the publication of classified documents.
Permanent Record
Rachel Haimowitz
Heidi Belleau
In 'Permanent Record', the eleventh installment of 'The Flesh Cartel', the story follows Mat and Dougie as they prepare to leave Nikolai and face their new master. The narrative explores themes of hope, emotional turmoil, and the ongoing hunt for the missing brothers. The book is noted for its complex character dynamics and the introduction of new perspectives, such as Nate's, who is involved in the investigation.
With Snowden now in possession of 1,500,000 secret American files, how can he get them in the public eye? Which journalists will he choose to help him? And why does he choose to hole himself up in a hotel room in Hong Kong?
Listen as David McCloskey and Gordon Corera discuss just how Snowden and the journalists he was working with plan to publish one of the most consequential stories of the 21st century.
The Rest Is Classified 
