World Oct 18 Haiti gang seeks $17M for kidnapped U.S. missionaries By Dánica Coto, Evens Sanon, Associated Press
World 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…
World May 05 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. By Larisa Epatko
Politics Aug 19 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… By PBS News Hour
Economy Nov 19 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… By PBS News Hour
Jun 24 Watch 6:49 Refusing to pay ransom won’t stop kidnapping, says former hostage By PBS News Hour 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,… Continue watching
Jun 24 Watch 3:01 Shifting policy, Obama pledges U.S. will ‘stand by’ families of hostages By PBS News Hour 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… Continue watching
Feb 19 Watch 6:27 What’s the price of paying for hostages? The economics behind funding and fighting terrorism By PBS News Hour 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. Continue watching
Jan 20 Watch 5:03 Why is the Islamic State targeting Japan for ransom? By PBS News Hour 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. Continue watching
Nov 19 Watch Modern-day Somali Pirates Increase Attacks 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. Continue watching