COLUMNS

Should the U.S. Government Negotiate for Hostages?

Jun 8, 2017 | 08:00 GMT

Should the U.S. Government Negotiate for Hostages?
Direct negotiations with terrorists give them an air of importance and parity, and government involvement inflates the value of hostages -- increasing the incentive to take them.

(DARIO LEON/AFP/Getty Images)

If you're an American, you don't want to be taken hostage. Since 2001, 90 Westerners have been kidnapped and killed overseas, and according to a January study from New America, 41 of them were Americans. That American deaths are disproportional to the number of total hostages raises the question: Why not negotiate? ...

Keep Reading

Register to read three free articles

Proceed to sign up

Register Now

Already have an account?

Sign In