This week the Obama administration announced a new policy on dealing with Americans being held in foreign countries. While the nation is still committed to policy of not giving any concessions to kidnappers, the government while allow for some negotiations to take place. It is not clear how effective these negotiations will be. This shift in policy is a reflection of the rise of kidnappings of Americans abroad in the recent months and years. The Obama administration estimates that more than 30 Americans are currently being held in foreign nations.
The new policy also creates a "fusion cell" of government agencies that will help better facilitate the negotiation and rescue process. The new fusion cell with consist of members of several Cabinet departments and the intelligence community. A top concern of the this group will be dealing with the families of hostages. The entire policy was heavily influenced by the lobbying efforts of several hostage families and survivors. One of their main points was a promise to not prosecute, or threat to prosecute, families that attempt to pay the ransoms offered by terrorist groups.
Tyler Allen
Full Article: Obama: We should do everything to help hostages
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