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After Russia granted NSA leaker Edward Snowden a one-year asylum, White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said the move "undermines a long history of cooperation."

The charge was the most serious against the Army private, who admitted releasing hundreds of thousands of classified documents. Manning, however, was found guilty of other serious offenses including multiple charges of espionage.

Army Pfc. Bradley Manning is accused of perpetrating the biggest leak of classified information in the history of the United States. Manning has been in military custody since May 2010.

European leaders were outraged over revelations of NSA surveillance. But in many countries, wiretapping by law enforcement agencies is legal and privacy safeguards are weaker. Still, comparisons can be misleading.

Former NSA contractor Edward Snowden remains in diplomatic limbo in the transit zone of Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport, an irritant to Russian President Vladimir Putin. He has little sympathy for Snowden, but doesn't want to appear to cave in to U.S. demands for his return.

The U.S. wants Russia to send the "NSA leaker" home for prosecution. In a letter to his Russian counterpart, Attorney General Eric Holder gives what he says are assurances that Edward Snowden should not be "treated as a refugee or granted asylum."

At issue is whether Pfc. Bradley Manning knowingly provided intelligence to enemies of the U.S. The aiding-the-enemy charge is punishable by life in prison.

Fifteen top posts at the Department of Homeland Security, including retiring Secretary Janet Napolitano's position, are now vacant or soon will be. Many are being filled on a temporary basis, and lawmakers from both sides of the aisle want the Obama administration to get busy filling those jobs, too.

Prosecutors want New York Times reporter James Risen to testify about whether he got information from a CIA agent. The Justice Department recently tightened its policy on when it will try to compel journalists to divulge such information. Risen's lawyer says that policy should apply to his client.

That is the most serious charge against Pfc. Bradley Manning. It is punishable by life in prison.