For decades, Pakistan-born British journalist, author and filmmaker Tariq Ali has been one of the best-known critics of US policies. He came into international prominence during the 1960s for taking the lead in the ‘campus movement’ against the American war in Vietnam. His book on that period, The Street Fighting Years, one of the several he has written, continues to inspire a large number of people in different parts of the world even today. In this interview with Pranay Sharma, he shares his views on American whistleblower Edward Snowden, the US government’s reaction and the surrounding controversy. Excerpts from this interview appeared in print:
Opinion on Edward Snowden is sharply divided. Some see him as a whistleblower, one who has done great service to the world; others see him as a traitor. How do you see him?
I see him as a freedom fighter. "I'm neither traitor nor hero. I'm an American," he told the South China Post. If only...
