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CHAPTER 27 Snowden’s Choices It is the choices we make that show who we truly are. —J. K. ROWLING, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone USSIAN AUTHORITIES had the opportunity to thoroughly debrief Snowden as to his motive for stealing state secrets, whereas U.S. authorities did not. It cannot be assumed that he had a single consistent motive in 2013. Snowden has shown, if nothing else, that he was adaptable to changing circumstances. He might have begun taking documents for one reason and found other reasons as he proceeded in his quest. Many of the reported circumstances of his activities, including his probes, contacts, theft, and escape, are dis- puted by his supporters. Many of his other activities are shrouded by the secrecy of the NSA. We do know, though, that Snowden made four extraordinary choices during the nine-month period in 2013. If, as is said, actions speak louder than words, Snowden’s four choices illuminate the underlying concerns guiding his acts. In the case of a classified intelligence breach, as in the post-action analysis of a mas- terful chess game, the sequence of moves a player makes provides an important clue to his strategy. Let us review what we have already learned about these decisions. | | Epst_9780451494566_2p_all_r.indd 275 ® 9/3016 8:13AM | | HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_019763