There is all this talk about how he made a mistake going to Hong Kong because Hong Kong actually has a strong extradition treaty with the United States (although ultimately, mainland China can veto anything if it chooses to do so). Snowden did not make a mistake going to Hong Kong, he was exceptionally clever because most likely he knows more about NSA spying than just the domestic spying that he revealed. He probably knows details of international spying and how the U.S. manages to snoop on countries through technological means. By sitting in Hong Kong he is signaling that he could easily defect to the Chinese and reveal real damage to National Security or perhaps the U.S. will cut a deal with him to let him go home without much jail time. Also, at a time when the U.S. has been admonishing the Chinese for spying, this would be a propaganda gold mine for the Chinese as well as an intelligence windfall if he were to defect to their country. The U.S. would be seething if this were to happen but the Chinese know that the Americans are so tied up with business deals with China that they would not or could not do much to damage relations between the two countries. Snowden could have went to Iceland first but his trump card is sensitive security information that U.S. real adversaries would like to have. Iceland could not use that information.
Stuck in Hong Kong?<p>Short on money?<p>On the run from the Triads or the Man?<p>Come stay at the (formerly) fabulous Chung King Mansions!<p>The only hotel you can live in 24/7, get a job and raise a family in. In balmy Kowloon! Rooms start at $30.<p><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XiRF1OOuw8&list=PL12CEAFFE67656EDB" rel="nofollow">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XiRF1OOuw8&list=PL12CEAFFE67...</a>
So far all of his decisions have been very well calculated. I think this is apart of his reveal, to either keep the focus on the story, or maintain some type of safety and appear to have disappeared into China's intelligence agency....the real point I think is to keep the focus on the reveal.
Could just as easily be <i>Edward Snowden 'hiding' in Hong Kong</i>. In his position, I wouldn't exactly be checking in on foursquare right now either.
Hypothetically, I mean I'm sure he's got it all planned out, but he could convincingly change his appearance, stock up on supplies and a backpack, and grab a ferry over to one of the nearby islands to hide out until the news dies down a little bit. Then it's pretty trivial to make your way south-east. I mean he can't expect to get back safely to any Western country any time soon..
Appears from cursory video vs. hotel website that he was using the less expensive room types at this hotel: 'club rooms' or 'mira suites'. <a href="http://www.themirahotel.com/en/rooms/room-choices.aspx" rel="nofollow">http://www.themirahotel.com/en/rooms/room-choices.aspx</a><p>There's some really good food around there. Seems such a shame to limit yourself to room service when you're facing jail!<p>(Edit: What kind of warped mind would downvote such witty and perceptive analysis? Hahaha.)
It seems entirely sensible that after he gave the interview to The Guardian, he left his hotel and found other accommodations before his identity became public.<p>I would not be surprised if The Guardian are in touch with him, but are not publicly stating so until they have a good reason to.
Why would anyone who worked at NSA and is publicly known to have had a very high security clearance go to Hong Kong in the first place? Wouldn't Chinese intelligence agencies love to get a hold of such a person and interrogate him?