We begin tonightwith the breaking news in a spy story come to life, complete with an 11th hourescape from Hong Kong, a confrontation with China, and just add the right ColdWar touch, Russia and possibly Cuba, major players as well right now.

Just before 7:00p.m. Eastern Time, an Aeroflot jumbo jet arrived in Havana from Moscow. Thereit is, you see it at the gate. Edward Snowden was expected to be in seat 17-A.However, CNN's Phil Black who was on board saw no sign of him. But as I said,neither did the Aeroflot captain. So at this moment, the question that peoplearound the globe have been asking all day, and most of the weekend, stillapplies.

Where in the worldis the man who leaked the existence of two big American intelligence gatheringoperations? That and some terribly inconvenient questions as well. Who ifanyone in American diplomacy and law enforcement dropped the ball(µôÇò£»Ê§Ö°)? Was the U.S. played(×÷Ū) bythe Chinese? And is it being played by the Russians right now? There's a lot ofground to cover tonight in a saga that could end in a U.S. courtroom or perhapsin Edward Snowden's political asylum in some place like Ecuador.

Anyway you cut it,though, this drama is barely half written. Here's how it all began.

Edward Snowdenacted quickly after he was charged with espionage on Friday night. The U.S.revoked his passport and asked the Hong Kong government to extradite him but hestill managed to clear customs and board a flight bound for Moscow.

This was adeliberate choice by the government to release a fugitive despite a validarrest warrant. And that decision unquestionably has a negative impact on theU.S.-China relationship.

There are reportshe spent the night in a hotel inside the Moscow airport. Russian officials sayhe never passed through immigration. According to WikiLeaks representatives whoare helping Snowden, he doesn't intend to stay. Moscow is simply a stopover onthe way to Snowden's final destination. And that might be Cuba. A van appearedon the tarmac in Moscow reportedly allowing someone to board a flight bound forHavana.

But reporters inthat flight say they did not see Snowden on the plane. That flight passes overU.S. airspace. Perhaps an unnecessary risk for Snowden and some believe U.S.authorities could force the plane to land.

U.S. officials saythey believe Snowden is still in Russia.

We do expect theRussian government to look at all the options available to them, to expel Mr.Snowden back to the United States.

Snowden could alsotake an alternate flight from Moscow to Havana that was scheduled to leaveMonday night. This flight plan in the past has avoided U.S. airspace. Butground staff in Moscow now denies this flight is scheduled.

If Snowden gets toHavana, he could then catch a connecting flight to Ecuador, where he'srequested asylum. Ecuador's government has granted Snowden refugee traveldocuments according to WikiLeaks representatives. They say Snowden has appliedfor asylum in multiple countries, and Latin America has the best legal optionswhich is key for Snowden.

In this interviewtwo weeks ago, Snowden acknowledged the risks in coming forward and hinted at alife on the run.

I could be, youknow, rendered by the CIA, I could have people come after me, or any of theirthird party partners. I, you know, they work closely with a number of othernations, or, you know, they could pay off the triads. Or, you know, any oftheir agents or assets. And that's a fear I'll live under for the rest of mylife, however long that happens to be. If they want to get you, they'll get youin time.