Why would any American want to work in Russia?
Asked by
jca2 (
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April 14th, 2023
As you have probably heard by now, Russia has jailed a Wall Street Journal reporter, for espionage. The United States denies the charges. Now there will be another prisoner swap being considered, along with the other American who has been held for four years, Paul Whelan. Since the Britney Griner incident, it seems like a quick way for Russia to get one of their criminals who is jailed in the US to be released.
It might be an intimidation tactic for Russia to deter Americans from working there, reporting there, etc. I just wonder, why would an American want to risk their freedom by working in Russia? No matter what the salary, how great the salary and prestige may be, why would someone want to take the chance?
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13 Answers
It’s their job, and they feel it needs to be done, regardless of the risks.
I suppose because the reality of living in places like Russia or even China can be quite nice in certain parts and in good conditions. I had a professor I worked with on projects go to Russia for cancer treatment. He met a wife and settled down there. I spoke with him a few years ago and he was very happy. I know a few Americans who worked and lived in China for years and had pleasant experiences. Just because the current governments in those places are tyrannical does not mean that it will reflect on the people, culture or even living conditions. Personally, I would not consider it because of said risk.
Some journalists feel it’s their duty, just as some physicians may feel it’s their duty to risk their lives and volunteer to help others in dangerous areas. I have no idea about the motivations behind this particular journalist though.
America isn’t ‘safe’ either and many people are severely underpaid. Could be worth the risk, I’d consider it.
Maybe they had Russian language classes in high school and college. I know of a couple of people that in the 1970s worked in the USSR.
There’s enough people playing it safe and going from home to work.
Really small minorities of people like to be adventurous and seek out interesting experiences.
I can understand why journalists go there, some journalists are probably compelled to certain locations to report from there. They are digging for truth, or a story. I don’t know specifically why Whelan was there.
As far as Brittney Griner, you might remember I didn’t have much sympathy for her. She was a millionaire already, she did mot need the money like some people tried to argue. Taking the risk isn’t fair to the US or her family. It’s like people who go mountain climbing during extreme weather and then the rescue mission endangers rescue workers and costs a fortune.
Everything above pretty much covers it.
I would add. It’s probably better than working at Red Lobster…
One of the people I mentioned above was a flight attendant for Pan Am and flew from JFK to Moscow. She spoke Russian, French and some German ! She was a RN too.
I wouldn’t do it. Not for all the tea in China.
You can find reasons in most of the responses above. One factor is that the economics of work in high-risk environments operates pretty much like any other market : The more difficult or dangerous, the higher the compensation.
But as others have pointed out, beyond personal financial gain some professionals are motivated by committment to public interest or a moral & ethical code. Journalists, scientists, health care providers, and academic researchers generally fall into that category.
Even during the height of the cold war from 1948 – 1965, a small corp of about 20 reporters working from Moscow and Leningrad filed stories with western news agencies. Because both sides recognized that at least a trickle of information was necessary for communication & diplomacy. But Putin’s regime has suppressed the flow of independent news & information to an extent not seen since the Stalin era.
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