Edward Snowden is still holed up in the transit lounge of Moscow’s Sheremetyevo airport. From almost every corner of the world has come the sound of doors slamming. The US wants the former US security contractor extradited home to face trial. The rest of the world – including, I suspect, his Russian hosts – see a story they would like to go away.
Mr Snowden has confirmed many prejudices about the use, and abuse, of American power. But the truth is we are sated with secrets. Not so long ago the disclosure of the nefarious surveillance activities of US intelligence agencies would have been met with international uproar. Now it produces a diplomatic ripple like that from a pebble thrown into a pond.
True, various European governments have complained about the US habit of spying on its allies. Predictably enough, France has led the field, warning that the disclosures could wreck transatlantic trade talks. The European Commission has lodged a protest – although one suspects it may be thrilled that Washington thinks it important enough to bug its fax machines.