cover of episode Austin Tice: the search in Syria for America's longest-held hostage

Austin Tice: the search in Syria for America's longest-held hostage

2024/12/16
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Josie Ensor: 奥斯汀·蒂斯是美国被关押时间最长的记者人质,自2012年以来一直被叙利亚政府关押。他的被捕发生在2012年8月14日的大马士革附近,当时他正在报道叙利亚内战初期的情况。叙利亚政府最初否认关押他,但后来发布了一段视频作为所谓的生命证明。一位名叫萨赫尔·艾哈迈德的叙利亚卧底记者声称,他在同一监狱与奥斯汀关押在一起,并提供了关于监狱布局和一些被关押者的信息。叙利亚政府对被绑架和扣为人质的人的指控通常含糊不清,例如"为美国政府或以色列间谍"。尽管美国政府正在尽一切努力寻找奥斯汀,但叙利亚政府一直是一个难题。许多记者和组织也参与了寻找奥斯汀的工作。叙利亚监狱的条件非常恶劣,囚犯遭受酷刑和虐待,奥斯汀可能遭受了多年的单独监禁、酷刑和其他虐待。 Saher Al-Ahmad: (根据Josie Ensor的转述) 我相信我与奥斯汀·蒂斯在同一监狱被关押。我记得监狱的布局,以及一些被关押者的国籍。外国囚犯的待遇可能略好,但奥斯汀的状况比被捕前差很多。 Abigail Edderburn: 我们有很多非常可靠的消息来源告诉我们,他仍然活着,我们相信这些消息来源是真实的,美国总统也是如此。我们要求总统与阿萨德联系,询问奥斯汀的下落,并把他带回来。我们相信这是可以做到的,也应该立即做到。

Deep Dive

Key Insights

Who is Austin Tice and why is he significant?

Austin Tice is an American journalist and former Marine who has been held captive in Syria since August 2012. He is one of the few Americans captured by the Bashar al-Assad regime and is currently the longest-held American hostage, with over 4,500 days in captivity.

What do we know about Austin Tice's capture in 2012?

Austin Tice was captured near Damascus on August 14, 2012, while covering the early days of the Syrian civil war. He was working as a freelance journalist for outlets like the Washington Post and AFP. Despite being taken at a government checkpoint, the regime initially denied holding him.

What evidence suggests that Austin Tice might still be alive?

Austin's sister, Abigail Edderburn, believes he is still alive based on trusted sources, including the U.S. president. Additionally, a Syrian undercover journalist, Saher Al-Ahmad, claimed to have seen Tice alive in July 2022 while they were both held in the same prison.

What are the conditions like in Syrian prisons where Austin Tice might be held?

Prisoners in Syrian prisons, including those in Sednaya, often suffer severe mental and physical abuse. Some are held for decades and barely recognize their families upon release. While foreigners like Tice may be treated slightly better, they still face years of solitary confinement, torture, and frequent transfers.

What diplomatic efforts are being made to find Austin Tice?

The U.S. government has sent a special envoy, Roger Carstens, to Beirut to coordinate efforts. There is also a point person, Moaz Mustafa, who liaises between the government and the family. Numerous unofficial efforts by journalists and media organizations are ongoing to locate Tice.

What charges are typically used by the Assad regime to justify detaining foreigners like Austin Tice?

Detainees like Tice are often charged with vague and sweeping allegations, such as spying for the U.S. government or Israel. These charges are rarely specific and often result in indefinite detention without trial.

What role does Saher Al-Ahmad play in the search for Austin Tice?

Saher Al-Ahmad, a Syrian undercover journalist, claims to have been held in the same prison as Tice in 2022. He provided details about the prison's layout and mentioned hearing a jailer refer to Tice as 'Ossie,' suggesting he was still alive at that time.

Shownotes Transcript

The US journalist Austin Tice is America's longest-held hostage, having been held captive in Syria since 2012. The Times' US Correspondent Josie Ensor, who covered the Middle East and Syria for years, discusses the ongoing efforts to find him - including her conversation with a Syrian undercover journalist who believes he was in the same prison at the same time as Austin.

The World in 10 is the Times' daily podcast dedicated to global security. Expert analysis of war, diplomatic relations and cyber security from The Times' foreign correspondents and military specialists. 

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