Hello, and welcome back to The Best & The Brightest.

Today, jailed Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich appeared in a Moscow courtroom—held, like all defendants on trial in Russia, in what is essentially a bulletproof fish tank. The court—if we can call it that—rejected Evan’s bail request and upheld his detention in Moscow’s notorious Lefortovo Prison until the end of May. Meanwhile, the independent Russian-language outlet Meduza reported that Evan’s lawyers believe that their client will be freed in a prisoner swap, perhaps for two Russian illegals who were arrested in Slovenia in January, but that this will only happen after a trial and the inevitable guilty verdict, much like in the case of Brittney Griner. Evan was charged with espionage while doing his job as a journalist, which carries a sentence of up to 20 years in jail.

I will continue to update you on Evan’s plight because it is so very important not to forget him, and to push for his freedom. If you want to do more, you can follow accounts dedicated to his release on social media or visit this site dedicated to his release for tips on how to help.

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But now, nearly two weeks later and with the benefit of some hindsight—and a firmer grasp of what was leaked—Washington is finally breathing again. “It’s serious, but it’s not the end of the world,” said retired C.I.A. clandestine officer...