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The furor surrounding the exchange of five Taliban prisoners for Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl has exposed the murky world - and impossible choices - of the families of Americans taken captive by militants.
Demands for vast ransoms or for prisoner releases put these families in the excruciating position of seeming to be able to save a loved one's life. Meet demands and your beloved lives. Hesitate and carry responsibility for their death to your grave.
Yet few families have access to the sums of money that militants demand. Nor can they free prisoners held by the United States or a local government. Despite the fact that the families feel primary responsibility, they have no real control.
I'm biased about Bergdahl. Five years ago, I was kidnapped by the same Afghan Taliban faction along with two Afghan colleagues while I was on leave from The New York Times, researching a book in Afghanistan. An offer for an interview from a Taliban commander who had previously met twice with European journalists proved to be a ruse. We were abducted at the meeting point and then transported to the tribal areas of Pakistan.
My decision to go to the interview thrust my family and editors into a world where there are no good choices. Kidnapping cases vary, but they all center on the same tortuous questions.
Was the kidnap victim innocent or somehow at fault - and does it matter? Is it right to pay a ransom that could encourage kidnappings or fund future terrorist attacks? When is it morally acceptable to let a captive die?
One brave Afghan and one brave Pakistani allowed me to avoid answering those questions. While our guards slept, the Afghan journalist and I managed to escape and reach a nearby Pakistani military compound. After we were nearly shot by sentries, a Pakistani Army captain allowed us to enter the base and saved our lives. (The other Afghan kidnapped with me returned home safely six weeks later.)
Ten days after our escape, Bergdahl was captured by the same Taliban group. Over the last four years, I have talked regularly with Bergdahl's family and those of other kidnapped Americans. One of them is the family of Warren Weinstein, an aid worker abducted in Pakistan nearly three years ago. His family fears he will die in captivity. In July, he will be 73.
The Bergdahls, the Weinsteins and every other family I have spoken with express the same sense of desperation, isolation and crushing responsibility. They incessantly ask themselves if they are doing enough. The sad truth hanging over every conversation is that they do not have the power to save them.
Five years later, the situation has gotten worse.
In every case I know of, the U.S. government has refused to pay ransom and, until Bergdahl, refused to release prisoners.
Over the last three years, however, European governments have paid $100 million in ransom to various al-Qaida splinter groups across the Middle East and North Africa, according to British officials. Israel released 1,000 prisoners in exchange for one Israel soldier.
Unable to pay enormous ransoms or release prisoners, American families have responded in desperate ways. But it is questionable whether any are effective.
During the Iraq war, security consultants began recommending that the abduction of journalists be kept secret. A media blackout, it was hoped, would reduce captors' ransom demands. It would also, in theory, discourage would-be abductors from seeing kidnappings as a way to gain worldwide publicity for their cause.
When we were abducted in Afghanistan, my family and editors followed that advice. My captors also initially demanded that the case remain secret as well. As had occurred in a half-dozen previous instances, media outlets agreed not to report on our kidnapping.
We will never know the impact of the blackout on my captors but throughout the seven months I was held captive, they remained convinced that I was a "big fish." By the time we escaped, their price for my release included $7 million in cash and seven prisoners from Guantanamo - a drop from the $25 million and 15 Guantanamo prisoners they started with.
In the years since I've returned home, it's become clear that one unintended consequence of this blackout strategy is that U.S. officials are under little pressure to address the problem. Anguished families say they regularly visit Washington only to be "patted on the head" by U.S. officials.
These blackouts can also inadvertently endanger other journalists. The failure to disclose kidnappings in Syria resulted in some reporters traveling there without fully understanding the spiraling risk of abduction. Freelancers and young journalists, in particular, are at risk.
Meanwhile, the abductions continue. Journalists have now been kidnapped in record numbers in Syria. Aid workers, missionaries and contractors have been taken hostage across the Sahel in Africa. More than 200 Nigerian schoolgirls remain in captivity.
The outcry over the Bergdahl case could create the worst of both worlds. Jihadists will expect prisoner exchanges or large ransoms. U.S. officials will be ever more hesitant to act in kidnapping cases.
Both sides in the furor over the Bergdahl case offer simplistic answers to the growing problem of abductions. Those who say the release of the five prisoners sets no precedent are downplaying the scope of this propaganda coup for the Taliban. Other militants around the globe will likely emulate them.
At the same time, the argument that refusing to pay ransom or release prisoners will end all kidnappings is wishful thinking. Given the delusions of my captors, jihadists will remain convinced for years, if not decades, that secret ransoms are being paid.
The real solution would require a massive and difficult long-term effort to reduce the world's pockets of ungoverned spaces. The Taliban who held both Bergdahl and myself felt no pressure to reduce their demand because they had a safe haven in the mountains of Pakistan.
Colombia curbed kidnappings by steadily eliminating the areas controlled by rebels. Kidnappings have been reduced in Somalia as African Union forces have gained greater control of the country. In the Philippines, abductions have slowed as the militant group Abu Sayyaf lost territory in the south.
Doing the same thing in Pakistan's tribal areas, Syria and the Sahel is a staggering task. But setting that as the international community's common long-term goal is far more constructive than demonizing a hostage and his family.
The focus of our anger should be the kidnappers. They are the problem, not hostages, their families, or a government that meets a demand.
We must unite in fighting the perpetrators of a craven crime - not each other.
© (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2014.
19 Comments
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zurcronium
It is shameful how the republicans have attacked Bergdahl and his family. It is as if they wanted him to stay a caged suffering POW. Leave no one behind seems to be forgotten by them. The republicans clamored for the release but when it happened they flip-flopped like Mitt Romney on healthcare in the last election cycle. It is disgusting, purely political, and an embarrassment to the USA and its basic principles. It goes back to their rejection of the black President. Six years on they still cannot accept democracy and the fact that a black man is running the show. Despite the fact that he is the guy that got OBL after Bush failed to do so.
praack
Bergdahl is different from both the writer of the article and what Zurconium even places in the post is bit farther from the truth. When you go awol because of your belief system - and don't moan- there are other ways he could have gone conscientious objector but instead inserted himself into a combat zone and then left his post.
oh you can say he is innocent until proven guilty- even a military man should get his court martial-but remember their initial search was to do that, bring him back and courtmartial him.
so is he "thinner" now- probably - rations are not as good with the terrorists (or are they now being called an ARMY now)
and since we do 5:1 swaps it should be easy to clear out Guantanamo Bay now- then we can get down to what the french do really well- PAY MONEY!!!. this will not make things better- but more difficult
bass4funk
Apparently, you have NOT been watching the news. Although you want to make it a partisan issue, it is NOT. This is a completely bipartisan issue. Sen. Diane Feinstein (D) of the intelligence committee is furious that the president didn't consult her and the entire comity first, they knew nothing of the exchange and also Hilary knew about these guys and never wanted these guys to be released.
Bergdahl should get a fair trial, but the fact of the matter is and what is indisputable is that, without a doubt. The man deserted his unit, bottom line. So on that alone, he should be attacked, if anyone doesn't understand that, they need to get tested.
Military justice is one of the fairest and if he is found NOT guilty of collaborating with the enemy, fine. Then he should be charged for deserting his unit, however if he is found guilty then he should pay. The problem started when he decided on his own and to take it upon himself to leave his brothers and his post behind inexcusable!
You are just making that up, do you know how many men were looking for him? Many had to change their strategic planned operations most during the surge to look for this guy and anywhere between 6 and 14 soldiers were possible killed because they were looking for him.
Has nothing to do with anything.
The only people that are making it political are libs driven to just trump up anything they can on Republicans because they don't like them or they have nothing better to do. Add to that, the WH sends Susan Rice (again...) on all the Sunday TV shows to fabricate, yet another lie, saying that Bergdahl was a prisoner of war and that he served the military with honor and distinction. 2 noted and outrageous lies. The military knows it and the men that served and looked for Bergdahl knows it. The other day on Fox, the majority and also Bergdahl's Sergeant spoke out about how they were looking for him and how they were crushed that one of their own could just walk away and they all want to know "why" and they should know.
Well, most of the people that got Obama into office were White and the whole race card thing is played out. At this point and time, NO one is listening to that rambling rant. People are angry at his failed policies, that is what they object, that's it. There might be a handful a small minuscule of people that hate Obama because he's Black, but the vast overwhelming majority, nope. And Obama was also the one that went to Bush to seek advice as what would be the best way to get OBL. Bush was the one that recommend he use SEAL team 6. In that case they both get credit. But if you want to get micro, Bush didn't get him while in office and also Clinton didn't get OBL while in office. So you have one Dem and one Repub. that failed. Stop being partisan.
oldman_13
Being a journalist and getting abducted as hostage is one thing.
It is an entirely different matter when a soldier from an American unit willingly leaves behind his fellow soldiers, leaves behind his weapon, and walks off on some misguided 'crusade.' Fully knowing that his fellow soldiers will search day and night, in every corner, crevice, village, and cave in order to find him, and put their lives at risk doing so. As far as I know 8 soldiers died trying to find Bowe, many others injured.
There were grumblings from those with intimate knowledge of the details of Bowe's captivity, years ago when this first happened. However, due to effective blackouts, the whole dirty truth of the situation was effectively covered up until just recently when Bowe was handed over in exchange for the Gitmo 5.
President Obama thought this was his shining moment to show that he 'cares' about our military and leaving no one behind. Yet it absolutely backfired on him, and now we have one of the Taliban 5 vowing to go back to Afghanistan in order to continue the fight against Americans.
FPSRussia
These terrorists know how America operates when it comes to hostages and that's a sign of weakness.
Ever notice how all the hostages they demand ransom for are white or female? They know America's government will pay.
Terrorists have already tried to get ransom for African Americans and it didn't work.
Taliban calls Washington D.C
DoD: Hello Department of Defense Langley Taliban: Hello, this is the Taliban. We have 3 Black American hostages DoD: Click!!!.......(tone) Taliban: Hello? Hello? I dun know why. They just hung up.
So yeah.....they are going to pay for some people and not for others.
zurcronium
Typical shallow responses from the Fox news crowd.
Berhdahl has not been accused by the military of anything. In fact while he was a POW he was promoted to Sargent. Fact. This whole thing is 99% republican talking points to target the black President for doing his job and bring backing one of our own. None of these gutless hypocrites would go before this kids parents and tell them your son cannot return home because we think he is not perfect. This is Jessica Lynch except in reverse. Purely political has totally anti-america. But no matter. Republicans only know how to do character assassination. Poor Berhdahl is being swiftboated by republicans before he can even recovery his health.
None of you would expect the US to let you down if you were a POW as you think Bergdahl deserves now after he has been freed. Of course beforehand it was why doesn't the black President get our soldier out. Pure partisan politics and destructive to the US soldier morale no doubt. Abu grahid you all were silent about but freeing a US citizen after years of being a POW, oh, that is horrible. This whole protest stinks to high heaven and is shameful, and you know it.
9-11 happened while Bush was President, not Clinton. Does fox news now say that? Bush let OBL attack the US as we all know. Didn't like to read those FBI briefings on vacation 32% of the time while he was President.
bass4funk
@zurc
Because you refuse to hear the facts. Show me ANY news coverage of any of the men that Bergdahl served with that say, he was an outstanding, loyal and good soldier. I'll bet you can't even find one or at least compared to the men that said, factually, he deserted. Your Fox phobia has nothing to do with it. The problem is, many of the news networks didn't want to cover the story in detail, that means, they weren't interested in hearing what Bergdahl's bretheren had to go through. That is coming from the left and is without a doubt a political move. No one has a dog in the fight, it is what it is, Bergdahl was a deserter.
Not true. He's been accused of leaving his post, which equates to desertion.
False: in order to be a POW you have to be a prisoner of war you have to be captured,which he wasn't.
Not even close. You are now making it a racial issue. No one except you has invoked race. Oh, and by the way, congress and the the intelligence comity are ALL NOT happy with the deal, because had it gone through congress, they would have NEVER authorized the deal. These 5 guys are the worst of the worst, these guys are responsible for taking down and overthrowing the Afghan Governement, 2 are wanted by the UN for beheading a 10 year old kid. These guys are ruthless and to throw race into the mix is completely over the top and ridiculous!
They would have probably with the help of special forces, if that is what's needed. That is something the public doesn't need to know about.
No, it's the other way around, Susan Rice is lying once again on American TV insulting the men and women that were with Bergdahl and some soldiers were killed because they all were looking for him. You really don't know what you are talking about. Bergdahl should have his day in court and presumed innocent until he is found guilty or innocent by the military court system. The WH is trying to spin this off as good deal and even many Democrats feel anger toward the president. The president and the liberals know they are in serious trouble this Fall and they needed a victory somehow, not to mention, we are pulling our troops out of Afghanistan very soon and leaving any soldier there wouldn't look good on the president, but instead of getting advice from military experts, once again, the anointed one takes it upon himself to trade some of THE most dangerous terrorists ever.
That's why Obama is in the hot tub now.
I wasn't being partisan, just telling the truth. So what other great achievements did Obama accomplish besides getting OBL?
More troops died in Afghanistan under Obama than Bush, and remember Benghazi happened under Obama's watch. So what's your point. Obama isn't squeaky perfect, not even close or a smidgen of being close. Oh, and how many times has Obama sat down with the republicans to do anything or get anything done instead of putting all of the country in danger. Now on that level, he's done a tremendous job.
JeffLee
Troop levels under Bush were tiny, around 25,000, many small units of special forces. It was a weak and failed strategy so Obama implemented the surge in order to finish a job that had been bungled from the start and overshadowed by the Iraq War.
cleo
I see what you did there: shout 'false!' on the bit that is secondary, and ignore zurc's fact - that he was promoted while in captivity. Why would the military promote someone they thought had deserted?
Army Promotes Missing-Captured Soldier
The Army announced today the promotion of a soldier listed as Missing-Captured while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom to the rank of sergeant effective June 12, 2011.
http://www.defense.gov/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=14580
karlrb
It is shameful how the republicans have attacked Bergdahl and his family. It is as if they wanted him to stay a caged suffering POW. Leave no one behind seems to be forgotten by them. The republicans clamored for the release but when it happened they flip-flopped like Mitt Romney on healthcare in the last election cycle. It is disgusting, purely political, and an embarrassment to the USA and its basic principles. It goes back to their rejection of the black President. Six years on they still cannot accept democracy and the fact that a black man is running the show. Despite the fact that he is the guy that got OBL after Bush failed to do so.
@zurcronium fact check: 1) he was not a POW 2) Obama is not black (check out his mother). Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I'm tired of arguments based on incorrect statements.
bass4funk
@jeff
Geez, Jeff! You really want to nit pick at the numbers??? Not really true, but at this point It doesn't matter, men and women died under both presidents, bottom line, regardless of the numbers. Dead is dead. Stop making this a partisan issue.
@cleo
I didn't ignore anything. He was indeed promoted Sergeant, but so what? He deserted, he put his gun down, he sent his uniform back home and many of his belongings, inquired about how to retrieve his funds from his account and the man walked off. So far, I heard 11 eyewitnesses that were there and served with him said, he walked off and he deserted his unit. Those are the facts. Also a fact, congress was seemingly disturbed by the prisoner swap without their knowledge and also the Taliban feel embolden now and admitted, they would definitely try to kidnap more Americans if it means they can get back many of their fighters. The deal should have never been done, particularly like this. If Obama would have worked with congress and with the military,they could have come up with a better solution as to how to get Bergdahl back.
Everything else is still up for speculation and will be brought out in a military court. Just on the desertion alone, he's in serious trouble, NOT including the other charges, if ANY. We shall see. I'm giving him the benefit of a doubt. Innocent until proven guilty.
cleo
And you ignored it. All you wanted to focus on was whether or not he was a POW, which is neither here nor there. Why did the military choose to promote him, if he was a deserter?
Gosh, I'd hate to read what you have to say about someone you think is guilty until proven innocent.
zurcronium
In sum, republicans who claim to support troops send them into failed wars over and over again, let them rot when they come back home by cutting the budget for the VA and then swiftboat POWs when they are freed. Honestly, the republicans say one thing and do just the opposite when it comes to US troops. Military men and women who vote republican are voting for their own suffering and sadly in too many cases their own deaths, all for nothing.
Do not know where you are from but in America you are black if your father or mother is black. Obama considers himself black. Honestly, how low can this get? Do you think that by claiming Obama is a white man that absolves you of racism. This is a new low on this board. Not an easy thing to accomplish.
bass4funk
@cleo
And you ignored it. All you wanted to focus on was whether or not he was a POW, which is neither here nor there. Why did the military choose to promote him, if he was a deserter?
That is a political move by the WH. He was already a Sgt. Before he was captured and now, although I personally don't know why they would do it. To make him a hero and for what? Desertion? The whole thing reeks foul. This entire exchange was done in secrecy without notifying congress, but then again, the anointed one, doesn't feel the need to inform anyone of anything at any time.
@zurc
So then Obama cares about the troops? That's why he ordered the surge, the second of which while during it, many of the troops were searching for this guy. The same surge that Obama didn't believe in that many military advisors knew about, most notably Robert Gates who said first hand the president didn't believe in the mission. so if you're going to make that kind of ludicrous analogy, do it in a partisan way.If you're going to send troops in harms way at least as the commander in chief believe in what you're doing, if not, don't send the troops to die, which he did in order to NOT look like a president that is weak, as most liberals are anyway when it comes to military defense.
You got that completely backwards. Democrats care? So how do you explain the VA scandal? You are describing Obama and the entire admin. In a nutshell.
And the American people who voted Democrat are suffering, especially minorities and the poor. However, the rich are doing quite well under Obama, I am. ;-)
Obama is mixed biracial he looks visually Black and he identifies himself culturally, ethnically and emotionally as a Black man.
What difference does it make? Obama has the right to feel as he wants and to identify himself with either race, but socially, visually people will categorize him NOT as White, but as Black. This is not only in America, this is practically everywhere in the world. He has ethnic Black features. He doesn't look or have distinguishable features, besides it doesn't make any difference. No one, but liberals care about race. The problem with this president is his failed policies, once again.
zurcronium
Bass,
You have been posting on this board for a decade now under various aliases and still to this day you cannot state your case without contradicting yourself or getting confused. Has not that graduate degree helped you at all?
Fact, the VA budget was gutted by republicans despite the fact they their wars are driving up demand for VA services
Fact, Democrats do not have an issue with race. The republicans are right now spending $60 million to recruit blacks to their party. So far, it is not working. Joining the Republican party for blacks, or any minorities for that matter, is like joining the KKK. Both groups are filled with old, tired, angry racist people who hate everyone other than themselves, i.e. white and old.
Fact, Obama ended the failed war in Iraq and is now doing the same for Afghanistan. Republicans start failed wars and it takes Democrats to end them. Same story over and over again.
Venture out from the bubble you live in for once. Embrace reality.
Moderator
Please do not be impolite.
bass4funk
@zurc
Amazingly hilarious. I do NOT have various aliases just the one I don't know what you are talking about and I am not contradicting anything, also I did state the case and the facts, you just want to dismiss them because you revile conservatives or anything that a conservative brings forward, you resent and object it outright. You believe as a partisan everything and anything that comes from the left, that makes you a partisan. There are always two sides to every story, and if you think that the left are walking around spouting a halo and live by truth and honesty. I can give you a litany of lies that this admin. has told this year alone. Anytime you need a timeline, let me know. And also when you hurl ad him attacks, it doesn't help you nor your arguments.
Where is your outrage or is it ONLY selective conservative outrage as usual?
Sorry, yeah, you guys do. That is why at EVERY angle if you say, you oppose Obama, you are a racist. If you question Eric Holder and his lack of will to file charges against Lois Learner, you are a racist. Question Susan Rice's handling of Benghazi: you are a racist. If you are outraged that you don't want Michelle Obama to lecture you about school lunches: you are a racist. MSNBC swims in it. From Sharpton, to Hayes and Matthews, when you watch that network, it is always about hating the president because he is Black, NOT because he has the absolute worst policies in the nations history. So does that mean, you are a racist towards Bush? How about all the libs and minorities that were against him, are you and these people racist towards him because of his skin color. You opposed him because he was White, admit it.
If Blacks want to stay with the Democratic party and vote by default and want to affiliate themselves with a party they have nothing in common with, that is their choice and right. There are many that do, actually more than you think and especially now many Blacks have suffered so much under this president, many have indeed changed their political affiliation. Repubs. don't need all the Blacks, but at this pace, it is getting better and the same goes for hispanics.
Smaller government, less taxation, financial independence for all, Entrepreneurship, home ownership, freedom to choose and live without the heavy handed tactics of the Big government.
Personally, I never knew that had anything to do with the KKK a group that was started by Southern Democrats.
I will give you that both groups are old and should be replaced, but the racist rant and constant accusations are coming from the left.
But Obama failed in securing the SOFA agreement of both countries, which is sliding back into chaos, thanks to the president, so basically his endeavors mean absolutely nothing.
I'm always out with the job I have, I just don't drink that liberal Kool aid libs love to gulp down because I deal with reality.
zurcronium
Glad you finally found a job. Clearly you still have too much free time. Regarding reality, as the well known sage said, it has a liberal bias. When you stop believing there are WMD in Iraq then try to post about the real world.
bass4funk
Have you ever thought about them being in Syria? Probably not. You're obviously busier than I am.