Despite advances under Obama, lack of transparency can hinder hostage families
When it comes to negotiating hostage releases from terrorist networks, the United States’ “no-concessions” policy puts many decisions in the hands of the families, leaving them wondering what to do.
Watch 7:21
Payment to Iran was used as ‘leverage’ for hostage release, admits State Department
In January, Iran released American hostages in a development coinciding with a U.S. payout of $400 million -- money that had been owed for decades. The Obama administration previously denied a connection between the two events, but on Friday, the…
Watch 8:50
What’s made the Islamic State one of the richest terrorist armies in history?
How does the Islamic State militant group make money to fund its operations? A key source is oil extraction, which has helped make the group one of the richest terrorist armies in history. Economics correspondent Paul Solman takes a look…
Watch 6:49
Refusing to pay ransom won’t stop kidnapping, says former hostage
The White House cleared the path for the families of hostages to be able to pay ransom, and offered other changes for how the government handles hostage cases. Chief foreign affairs correspondent Margaret Warner gets reaction from Michael Scott Moore,…
As the number of American hostage deaths have surged in the past year, some families have spoken out about being threatened with prosecution for considering paying ransom and feeling stonewalled by the government. Judy Woodruff reports on the White House’s…
Hostage-taking has become an important moneymaker for terror groups including the Islamic State. Economics correspondent Paul Solman looks at the larger price of paying ransom and cost-effective ways of fighting terror.
The Islamic State released a video ransom vote that threatened to kill two Japanese hostages unless Tokyo pays $200 million. Jeffrey Brown speaks with former CIA officer Bob Baer about why the militant group is targeting that country.
Somali pirates are increasing the frequency of their attacks and targeting larger ships, targeting oil supertankers and grain cargo vessels. Experts explain the rise in modern-day piracy and the efforts among the international community to curb the problem.
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