Bill Richardson: Diplomatic Hero Freed an American Prisoner in Myanmar
On Monday, 15 November, former New Mexico governor Bill Richardson pulled a headline‑making stunt: he helped free U.S. reporter Danny Fenster from a Myanmar jail. The escape is the latest chapter in Richardson’s month‑long saga of rubbing elbows with dictators around the globe.
Birthday, Bravado, & A Bunch of Smiles
With his 74 birthday just fluttering into the spotlight, Richardson posted a photo on Twitter that captured the moment of triumph. In the image, he’s lounging over Fenster while they step onto the nose of a jet that whisked them out of Myanmar—no more dusty cell walls, just the clean, blue sky above.
Tweet link (view the original screenshot)
How the Plan Took Shape
- Richardson met Myanmar’s junta chief Min Aung Hlaing this month—one of the few foreigners to do so since the February takeover.
- The businessman‑turned‑fixer leveraged his networks and charm to negotiate a release that would lift a heavy weight from Fenster’s family in Detroit.
- US Secretary of State Antony Blinken lauded the move, labeling it a “good day for freedom.”
Critics Are Still in the Game
Not everything was roses and sunshine.
- Activists accused Richardson of lending legitimacy to the brutal Myanmar regime, a familiar refrain after his “quarter‑century” of dealing with tyrants worldwide.
- “Can a safety‑net of diplomacy cover up a regime that routinely abuses people?” they asked.
- Richardson countered that the goal was to keep the press alive and push for accountability.
End of the Story? Maybe Not…
With Fenster back on the land, this episode underscores a messy truth: powerful negotiators can play a double‑edged sword. The next chapter might involve more back‑channel talks—who knows? One thing’s for sure: the world keeps watching, and Richardson has etched his name in the ledger of strange, but effective, international diplomacy.
‘Know what makes them tick’
From Office to Oblivion: The Wild Escapades of William L. Richardson
First Act: Negotiating Chaos in 1994
Picture this: a young congressman, fresh from the halls of Washington, finds himself chasing a downed helicopter in the foggy wilderness that is North Korea. The result? One pilot died, one got captured, and our intrepid man ended up staying a few extra weeks, trading strings with the Korean leadership for the pilot’s release.
Second Act: Battle of the 20‑Edge Wall
Fast forward to the 2000s. The same folks from the Big Blue House now bring us the tale of a trip to Iraq, where Richardson face‑to‑face with the brother of the great Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein himself. Their goal? Free two Americans who had inadvertently crossed a border, and uncover a recipe for negotiating with the shinier side of the political world with a little personal charisma.
What Does the Negotiator Say?
“You’ve got to respect your adversary,” he tells a podcast in 2018, “and get their heartbeats in sync.” He adds a chuckle‑worthy twist: “and make them feel like they’re earning something big, even if it’s just a piece of praise for a humane gesture.”
Beyond The Capitol: New Mexico & More
- Served as US ambassador to the UN ( and protest was never a thing, except maybe in the Senate).
- Was energy secretary under Clinton; a true power‑player.
- Went on to become the Governor of New Mexico in 2002 – no less Texas‑style folks.
“Left‑wing‑ish” Governorship, and the 2008 Presidential Play
He tried his hand at the Democratic nomination for president–but it was a flop. The political field was full of all‑ing March to the polls, like a sitcom that got cancelled.
3rd Act: The Private Peace‑Making Missions
Today, Richardson and his crew at the Richardson Centre for Global Engagement fly under the radar. No Supreme Court approval, no NDA – just a quick private pitfall to rescue people, often from sneaky or hostile relationships with Washington.
Highlights:
- 2014 – Nigel: Rescued a Korean‑American mission, Kenneth Bae, in North Korea alongside the Google chief.
- 2017 – The ghost of a student, Otto Warmbier, resettlement. He returned frail and died soon after.
- 2019 & 2020 – Escaped sorcery: The liberation of Xiyue Wang and Michael White in Iran with a little help from the Islamist big‑wigs.
Style: The “Humor‑Infused Soft‑Skeptic” Tone
Imagine a seasoned negotiator, singing in the hot face of world chess, yet not taking himself too seriously. From the gravel of North Korea to the incense of Iraq, his career is an odd mix of sly diplomacy, heartfelt charisma, and a sprinkling of sarcasm that can’t be missed.
History with Myanmar
What a Wild Ride – Richardson’s Myanmar Chronicles
Getting the Badasses Behind Bars Tied Up… or Not
In the mid‑90s, Richardson stepped onto the chessboard of Myanmar’s political drama. According to Foreign Policy, his first move was designed to press the general’s hard‑backed hand on Aung San Suu Kyi—the sit‑in‑prison, then house‑arrested opposition icon. He hoped to swap the prison cell for a less dramatic “house arrest”—think Woodstock with a government lockup.
It was a bold play, but it’s unclear how many quivers or sweat‑drops ended up in that effort. The generals were stubborn, the regime remained defiant, and the first‑class release ticket didn’t materialise. Nevertheless, the story remains a sensational footnote in the saga of Myanmar’s flickering hopes.
Super Hero Suu Kyi vs. The News‑Scrap Hero, Richardson
Fast‑forward to the post‑2017 era: The scene shifted. Belle of the nation, Suu Kyi, who had surged to a de‑facto civil‑administration leader, was now the mission commander. Meanwhile, Richardson found himself on a different battlefield—press freedom land.
When two Reuters reporters were caught mid‑fight, reporting on the deadly skirmish against Rohingya Muslims, Richardson went into high‑stakes maneuver mode, demanding release. Picture a courtroom drama with an extra layer of diplomatic tension.
Unfortunately, Richardson’s liberation tactic failed. The journalists remained in custody, the story turned into another twist in an already intricate Myanmar plot.
Key Ingredients to the Punchline
- Cold Discretion – In a realm that eats agendas, a moral compass can become a bargaining chip.
- Power Chaining – Generals, regulators, and press — all hold it in a delicate tug‑of‑war.
- Journalism’s Freedom – The deadly silent whisper every reporter hopes to translate into public truths.
So whether you’re a history buff or a political drama fan, Richardson’s chapter in Myanmar is a reminder that every move can spark headlines, dissent and, sometimes, just a little bit of irony.
