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american hostages

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Freed American detainees released in a prisoner swap deal between U.S and Iran arrive in the U.S. at Fort Belvoir, Virginia

World Jan 13

Hostage negotiator Roger Carstens reflects on his efforts to bring detained Americans home

By Amna Nawaz, Stephanie Kotuby, Alexa Gold

Nation Oct 21

Father learned of release of daughter, exwife by Hamas from Israeli TV
Father of American teen hostage freed by Hamas says she is ‘doing very good’

The father of freed American teen hostage Natalie Raanan said Friday she’s doing well following two weeks in captivity after she and her mother were abducted in Israel by Hamas and held in Gaza.

By Claire Savage, Melissa Perez Winder, Lisa Baumann, Associated Press

World Oct 20

U.S. citizens who were taken as hostages by Palestinian Hamas militants are released, in Israel
Watch 4:08
American mother and daughter kidnapped by Hamas are first hostages released from Gaza

Two Americans held hostage for nearly two weeks by Hamas following the terror attacks of October 7 are free tonight. Judith Raanan and her daughter Natalie were released Friday evening after mediation by the government of Qatar. Nick Schifrin reports.

By Nick Schifrin, Teresa Cebrián Aranda

World Oct 17

hostages
Watch 6:29
Families of Americans kidnapped by Hamas describe anguish and what they want Biden to do

One of President Biden’s most pressing concerns on his trip to Israel is the fate of as many as 13 Americans being held hostage by Hamas. They are among some 200 hostages in Gaza. Nick Schifrin spoke to the American…

By Nick Schifrin, Sonia Kopelev and Sarah Cutler, Columbia Journalism Fellow

World Mar 19

Secrets
Watch 6:34
Expert analyzes new account of GOP deal that used Iran hostage crisis for gain

The Iran hostage crisis consumed the last year of the Carter presidency, contributing to a perception of weakness. Saturday, a new allegation surfaced that Ronald Reagan's campaign worked to prevent the U.S. hostages from being freed before Election Day. Gary…

By John Yang, Kaisha Young, Juliet Fuisz

Oct 09

British men accused in beheading of hostages plead not guilty

By Matthew Barakat, Associated Press

Authorities say El Shafee Elsheikh and Alexanda Kotey are two of four men dubbed "the Beatles" by their hostages who took note of their British accents.

Continue reading

Oct 07

WATCH: U.S. charges ISIS members in deaths of American hostages

By Eric Tucker, Matthew Barakat, Associated Press

Prosecutors are accusing them of involvement in a gruesome campaign of beheadings, torture and other acts of violence against four American hostages in Syria and other captives.

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Apr 02

U.S. hostage families seek better government support, report says

By Eric Tucker, Associated Press

Family members of Americans who are imprisoned abroad or held hostage by militant groups say in a new report that the U.S. government must do better in communicating with them.

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Jul 03

After escaping captivity, American detainees come home to credit penalties

By Ali Rogin

It’s common for U.S. captives to return home to find they have a damaged financial reputation and no clear path to restore it, according to a new report from the James W. Foley Legacy Foundation, the group named after the…

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Mar 04

Watch 7:44
Why U.S. policy toward negotiating with terrorists may be risking Americans’ lives

In “We Want to Negotiate: The Secret World of Kidnapping, Hostages and Ransom,” author Joel Simon analyzes hostage situations involving Westerners taken from Syria. One example: American journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff, who were executed. Judy Woodruff sits down…

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Full Episode
Wednesday, Sep 17
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