I don't know if it's realistic he'd be executed (probably not) but I think there's a good chance he'd be extradited from Sweden to the U.S. What's happening right now between Ecuador and the UK is an incredible game of brinkmanship.

Will the UK authorities revoke Ecuador's embassy status? Will the UK police arrest Assange in the embassy itself or en route to the airport? Ecuador it seems is in a winning position no matter what, right? If the UK authorities intervene, then they play the role of victim against a big bully. If the UK authorities do nothing, then they successfully defended the rights of free speech everywhere.

I'm not saying I agree with that position - only that Ecuador seems to be playing its hand quite well.

Unfortunately, main stream media does not cover this. I bet if you polled the Midwest, barely anyone would recognize his name. It is a big deal to those who are interested in human rights and the role our media plays in international human rights. I just learned that he may find protection in Ecuador: http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2012/aug/17/julian-assange-extradition-ecuador-embassy.

He poses a large threat to the US as far as "security issues" which is where the threat of execution is coming from. Yet, WikiLeaks has exposed many important human rights abuses, that would have never been addressed without him. I consider him a hero. Three years ago, University campuses were forbidding students to view WikiLeaks! Isn't that nuts? Many universities stated that a mere peek at the website could negatively impact employment opportunities with the US government.

The extradition argument, although fully possible due to international law that all civilized countries have signed, is so lame. There is no way the Swedish public will allow that, it would be political suicide for sure. All the citizens of Sweden wants if for Sir David Frost and Ricardo Patino to shut up and let justice (and Swedish law) be served. That’s it… The majority of Swedes admire the work that Wikileaks are doing , but what is now going on has nothing to do with Wikileaks, at lest not from a general Swedish point of view...

Assange gets a relatively decent amount of media coverage, but I agree with Mali in the doubt that most people in the US take the time to dig in and understand the subtleties of the issues that are at play around his situation.

It's hard to say what the right viewpoint to take on Assange is, honestly. Nobody wants for human rights abuses of any stripe to take place, and people who see enough of them and take enormous risk to try to combat them have to be admired at some level.

On the other hand, as someone who has spent nearly 20 years in leadership positions of various stripes an in different types of organizations, I seriously doubt the idea that transparency of records - whether between governments or any organization - is a good. As a principal, confidentiality is important, if not critical, to people and organizations getting along and being able to communicate and negotiate effectively. And it is definitely true that there are some facts - some issues - that the public simply doesn't need to know about, often for its own sake.

Pity, though, that it seems clear that many governments use confidentiality to do the absolutely unthinkable. The best thing we can do as citizens as hire representatives that, when they represent us, will remember that their right to confidential information and action is also a responsibility.

What people are forgetting to mention is this guy has to answer questions with regards to sexual assault.Not on one woman but two. And this is a guy who is all about freedom of speech and he seeks refuge in the Ecuador Embassy,pot calling kettle situation springs to mind.In Ecuador a journalist would be thrown in prison for freedom of speech.I heard of a comment today from someone.Another mans freedom fighter is another mans terrorist. Thats the thing with conspiracy theorists.When there on the warpath, its called freedom but when there being criticised its persecution.

Just want to say Thank You for this dialogue. As a law student, studying constitutional law, this issue is close to my heart. As an American, living during the "War on Terror," my trust in our government to use discretion and confidentiality strategically to protect humanity and promote peace-has been thoroughly shaken. For this reason, media such as WikiLeaks is needed to restore and rebuild trust. Just as community groups organize to keep surveillance on local police to deter police brutality, this is our form of surveillance. I really appreciate how this dialogue serves to humanize Assange. For a good laugh, Ryan, read this old post from Naomi Wolf, well-known feminist about the charges against him: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/naomi-wolf/interpol-the-worlds-datin_b_793033.html

Slept on it, and here's the solution I think:

http://tmblr.co/Zc2hduS2jeYE

Not realistic at all... he hasnt dont anything that carries the death penalty; he is not an American citizen and is not an enemy combatant... and hasnt threatened the President or anyone in govt leadership.

The worse he could see is a few years in prison for illegally obtaining confidential govt information and releasing it to the public and aiding and abetting criminal fugitives.