The Rest Is Classified: Episode 46 - "The Leak That Changed The World: Snowden On The Run"

Release Date: May 13, 2025

Hosts: David McCloskey and Gordon Corera

Introduction and Context

In the fourth episode of their deep dive series on Edward Snowden, The Rest Is Classified explores the pivotal moments following Snowden's initial leaks about the NSA's expansive surveillance programs. Hosts David McCloskey, a former CIA analyst turned novelist, and Gordon Corera, a seasoned security correspondent, guide listeners through the tumultuous aftermath of Snowden’s revelations and his subsequent flight from the U.S. government.

Revealing the Verizon Metadata Collection (00:01 - 05:03)

The episode opens with the disclosure that the National Security Agency (NSA) had been collecting telephone records from millions of Verizon customers under a top-secret court order issued in April (00:01). This revelation, first reported by The Guardian on June 5, 2013, indicated that the NSA was indiscriminately harvesting communication metadata of U.S. citizens, irrespective of any suspicion of wrongdoing (02:15).

Gordon Corera underscores the significance of this revelation by explaining that Section 215 of the Patriot Act enabled the NSA to collect metadata such as phone numbers, call durations, and locations without accessing the content of the conversations (02:54). David McCloskey defends James Clapper, the then Director of National Intelligence, noting Clapper’s visibly uncomfortable testimony before Congress, where he falsely denied such extensive data collection (04:20).

Notable Quote:

Gordon Corera (02:54): "The document shows for the first time that under the Obama administration, the communications records of millions of US Citizens are being collected indiscriminately and in bulk, regardless of whether they are suspected of any wrongdoing."

Dissecting the PRISM Program (05:03 - 12:09)

The conversation transitions to another monumental revelation: the PRISM program. Corera explains that PRISM involved the NSA gaining access to the content of emails and communications from major U.S. tech companies like Microsoft, Facebook, and Google (05:03). Unlike the bulk metadata collection, PRISM targeted specific communications of foreign nationals, although U.S. citizens' data were incidentally collected (08:12).

David highlights the legal framework underpinning these programs—Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), which mandated cooperation from tech companies in providing data to the federal government (11:01). Despite the legalities, the public outrage stemmed from the fact that these practices were kept secret and not widely understood by ordinary Americans (10:37).

Notable Quote:

David McCloskey (08:12): "PRISM is the code name for this program and I think it is important, very important to note that this is targeting the communications of foreign nationals."

Snowden’s Public Revelation and Personality (12:09 - 17:31)

As the hosts delve deeper into Snowden’s actions, they discuss his personality traits that influenced his decisions. McCloskey introduces what he terms "Snowden's Deadly Sins," particularly focusing on Snowden’s impure motives and indiscriminate leaking of information (13:05). Corera reflects on Snowden's public persona, describing him as someone who craves recognition and is perhaps naive about the consequences of his actions (16:57).

The episode highlights Snowden's strategic moves in Hong Kong, where he collaborated with journalists Glenn Greenwald, Ewan McCaskill of The Guardian, and filmmaker Laura Poitras (02:17). Snowden’s decision to go public, fully aware that it would make him a target, is portrayed as both a bold and reckless act.

Notable Quote:

Gordon Corera (17:10): "He's gonna make his mark and reveal himself to the world."

The Crucial Video Reveal (21:46 - 26:12)

A significant moment in the episode is the discussion of the June 9, 2013, video released by Snowden, captured by Laura Poitras. In this video, Snowden articulates his fears of being hunted by intelligence agencies and criminal elements like the triads in Hong Kong (22:47). McCloskey criticizes Snowden's portrayal of himself, likening his statements to dialogue from a spy thriller, suggesting a lack of practicality in his escape plans (23:57).

Snowden's articulate yet dramatized narrative emphasizes his determination to oppose powerful intelligence agencies, reflecting his internal conflict and unwavering stance against what he perceives as governmental overreach (26:12).

Notable Quote:

Edward Snowden (23:04): "You can't come forward against the world's most powerful intelligence agencies and be completely free from risk because they are such powerful adversaries."

Snowden’s Escape Plan and Challenges (26:12 - 31:17)

Following the video, Snowden attempts to flee, booking a flight from Hong Kong to Moscow on Aeroflot SU213 (29:54). The hosts describe the chaotic efforts of journalists trying to intercept him, only to find his seat empty on a dry flight to Havana, leading to public frustration and amusement over the "dry flight" anecdote (35:41).

McCloskey and Corera speculate on Snowden’s reasons for not directly traveling to Iceland, his initial preferred refuge, and his subsequent detour through Moscow, where diplomatic protocols hinder his swift escape (30:01). The uncertainty surrounding his exact whereabouts and the eventual failure of journalists to capture him on the flight add layers of mystery and tension to the narrative (35:41).

Notable Quote:

David McCloskey (30:01): "The Chinese are keen to get rid of the political hot potato."

Involvement of Julian Assange and WikiLeaks (31:17 - 37:05)

As Snowden's flight remains enigmatic, Julian Assange of WikiLeaks enters the scene, offering assistance to Snowden. The hosts discuss the strategic yet flawed plan to transport Snowden to Ecuador via Havana, highlighting the logistical and diplomatic hurdles faced (32:24). McCloskey questions the wisdom of transiting through Moscow, a country not particularly friendly to US whistleblowers, suggesting a potential oversight in the escape strategy (33:16).

The collaboration between Snowden and WikiLeaks is depicted as an attempt to leverage Assange’s network to secure safe haven for Snowden, although the plan ultimately falls apart as Snowden remains elusive (36:01).

Notable Quote:

Gordon Corera (32:32): "So, they come up with a plan which is to take a long route to Ecuador via, it looks like Havana."

Journalists' Pursuit and Ongoing Mysteries (37:05 - 38:12)

The episode concludes with the failed attempt by journalists to intercept Snowden on his flight to Havana, leaving many questions unanswered about his next move (35:41). McCloskey teases future developments, including insights from Scotland Yard’s counterterrorism division regarding a Bulgarian spy ring, tying back to earlier episodes and expanding the narrative scope (37:05).

Listeners are invited to join the Declassified Club for exclusive content and further analyses, ensuring continued engagement with the unfolding Snowden saga (37:47).

Conclusion and Takeaways

Episode 46 of The Rest Is Classified meticulously unpacks the critical days following Edward Snowden’s initial leaks. Through engaging dialogue and insightful analysis, McCloskey and Corera shed light on the complexities of mass surveillance, the legal justifications behind NSA programs, and the intricate dance of public perception versus governmental secrecy. Snowden’s audacious actions and the subsequent global hunt underscore the precarious balance between national security and individual privacy.

Key Insights:

• Government Overreach: The episode underscores the extent of NSA’s surveillance programs and the legal frameworks that enabled them, sparking debates on civil liberties.

• Snowden’s Motivations: While portrayed as a whistleblower, Snowden’s actions reveal a blend of idealism and possible naivety regarding the fallout of his disclosures.

• Media and Public Reaction: The swift journalistic response and public outcry highlight the power of information leaks in shaping global discourse.

• International Implications: Snowden’s flight route and interactions with international entities like WikiLeaks illustrate the geopolitical tensions inherent in whistleblower scenarios.

Notable Quotes Recap:

Gordon Corera (02:54): "The document shows for the first time that under the Obama administration, the communications records of millions of US Citizens are being collected indiscriminately and in bulk, regardless of whether they are suspected of any wrongdoing."

David McCloskey (08:12): "PRISM is the code name for this program and I think it is important, very important to note that this is targeting the communications of foreign nationals."

Gordon Corera (17:10): "He's gonna make his mark and reveal himself to the world."

Edward Snowden (23:04): "You can't come forward against the world's most powerful intelligence agencies and be completely free from risk because they are such powerful adversaries."

Gordon Corera (32:32): "So, they come up with a plan which is to take a long route to Ecuador via, it looks like Havana."

For a comprehensive understanding of Edward Snowden’s impact on global surveillance and subsequent events, tune into Episode 46 of The Rest Is Classified. Join the Declassified Club for exclusive interviews and insider perspectives that continue to unravel the intricate web of espionage and whistleblowing.