Pandora’s Box: Why Edward Snowden is not allowed to escape

Edward Snowden‘s revelations of the surveillance programs and methods of many nations, most notably of the USA and Great-Britain, have given new life to the debate on security and the legitimacy of the post-9/11 security paradigm. However, the story of his escape and the ensuing asylum bids are overshadowing this debate as it gradually takes on the most captivating aspects of a spy thriller. And to be fair, it also reveals the extent of Snowden’s planning.

The problem with the whirlwind surrounding this story is that it does not take on what is arguably the most important issue with Snowden’s revelations, which is also the reason why he is not allowed to escape: his value as a symbol.

This is not about Snowden’s image as a hero or a traitor. It has to do with his ability to escape, to avoid being punished for revealing secrets pertaining to national security. If he makes it to asylum grounds and remains immune from prosecution, success will be a beacon of hope for all those tempted in revealing such secrets but were/are afraid to do so. If Snowden succeeds, he will be opening Pandora’s box.

Edward Snowden is not unique. He added to what Bradley Manning did with the main difference that he was aware of the consequences and had an escape plan. He is also not the last of these types of whistleblowers, no matter how hard national security agencies will try to avoid such leaks in the future. Should he escape, he will not be the last of his kind for three reasons.

First, because this is a very disgruntled generation. While many enlisted the armed forces in response to the overwhelming patriotism that followed 9/11, many of those enlisted also questioned the purpose of the American presence in Iraq and Afghanistan, its legitimacy and its relation to American norms and values. Many come back disillusioned and disappointed, feeling deceived and betrayed by their country. But contrarily to previous generations, they are in a position to do serious damage due to the level of their involvement in an increasingly technologically dependent military. It gives many twenty-somethings huge amounts of power, and it is this awareness of power combined with disappointment that leads to the actions of individuals like Manning and Snowden. It is an emotional reaction from someone in a position to hit back, and the damages are immense.

The second reason is the over-reliance on sub-contracting over the past decade. Governments want to reduce spending and firms know that the contracts will be awarded to those offering the best price. This means that many conduct superficial security checks, limiting themselves to what appears to be good behavior. By going cheap, governments are exposing their security to a myriad of individuals that are not necessarily fully loyal to the state nor obedient. This makes states vulnerable to idealism, vengeance or corruption. By relying less on the selection process of the private sector, states would be in a better position to protect their information and security assets. The private sector is interested in making money, not spending it. Otherwise, more than a mere 15% of American critical infrastructures would be better protected and secure.

Finally, the third reason why Snowden’s successful escape will incite more to do the same is the over-reliance on technology and the flood of information it creates. As surveillance and security systems become more evolved and complex, it will require an increasing amount of personnel to maintain the systems, filter the information and analyze it. And right now, the needs dictate that competence prevail over character. At the very least, character that is suitable for national security purposes. This focus cost the United States the two biggest information leaks in its history, within a span of three years.

Bradley Manning and Edward Snowden are merely the first of potentially numerous individuals that will leak this type of information. Like Frankenstein coming back to haunt his creator, the U.S. government is now damned by the discrepancies between its discourse and actions. In the saddest of ways, these are the spawns of 9/11, Bin Laden‘s curse from beyond the grave. This is why, from a western security perspective, Edward Snowden is not allowed to escape.