Biden Faces Dilemma, Australian PM Slated To Discuss Julian Assange's Detention During Upcoming US Visit

Australia’s Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, has expressed concern over the prolonged detention of WikiLeaks founder, Julian Assange. According to a report from Business Insider, The Assange situation is anticipated to be discussed during Albanese’s upcoming four-day visit to the U.S. The visit commences on Oct. 25 and includes a state dinner hosted by President Joe Biden.

Albanese, the leader of the country’s Labor Party, acknowledged having “some issues” with Assange’s actions but stated that “nothing is served” by his continued imprisonment. Assange has been in British custody for four years after being apprehended at the Ecuadorian embassy.

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This shift presents a challenging dilemma for Biden – to either refuse a key ally’s request or risk upsetting the U.S. intelligence community.

The issue has evolved from a conflict between press freedom and U.S. national security to a diplomatic disagreement between the U.S. and Australia.

Assange’s supporters and an unlikely coalition within the Australian government have reframed the long-standing debate over his future. A few weeks ago, the Washington Post carried a full-page ad demanding Assange’s release. It was signed by 64 Australian MPs.

Shedding more light on the upcoming discussions between the two country heads, Australian Sen. Peter Whish-Wilson told the Insider, “Why would you want to have a messy international trial on the issue of whether, essentially, the DOJ is criminalizing journalism? As a politician, I can’t see any upside. You might win, but you still lose.”

“If he’s extradited, there will be a cost. There will be a global outcry and there will be a domestic backlash from the press,” added Gabriel Shipton, Assange’s half-brother.

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Image by Cancillería del Ecuador via Flickr