Hunter, Tony
Hunter serves as the McClatchy Media Company’s chairman and CEO.
In the twelve years that Austin Tice was kidnapped in Syria, his family and his colleagues at McClatchy have mourned his disappearance, been disheartened by the Syrian government’s silence, and hoped that the three U.S. presidents’ pledges would be fulfilled and that Austin would return home.
We have more cause to think Austin might come back now than at any other time since he was taken from us. Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria has collapsed. The world watches as inmates emerge from their cells and make their way to freedom as rebels and others open the gates of Assad’s numerous jails. We’re hoping that Austin, our coworker, will be the next one.
The disappointment that President Joe Biden isn’t doing everything in his power to make it happen, however, is mixed in with that hope.
Journalists and non-governmental organizations are currently in Syria, visiting different prisons in an effort to find information regarding Austin’s whereabouts. In the event such information comes to light, the CIA, FBI, and U.S. military are ready.
However, they have not been joined by representatives of our State Department. Among them is the special presidential envoy for hostage problems, Roger D. Carstens.
At a briefing this week, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller informed reporters that no U.S. government agency had yet to be present in Syria. Although Miller acknowledged that security was an issue, he also stated that American authorities have been in contact with Syrian groups.
But in a previous briefing, Miller was more direct: “No, there isn’t anyone there; there isn’t anyone coming,” he stated. We will keep evaluating the situation, and I will come out and say when we determine it is time to send personnel in.
Better answers are due to Americans. Why isn’t a president who stated that returning American captives is a major priority making the most of this crucial moment? According to some sources, Austin has been relocated frequently while in captivity, possibly most recently in the basement of the Syrian Air Force intelligence building. The rebels who overthrew Assad have stated that they will work directly with the U.S. administration to assist in his recovery.
Debra Tice, Austin’s mother, claims that a new source informed the family that Austin is alive and well, despite the family having reliable information that he might be detained in a prison outside of Damascus. Debra requested last week that Israel halt military operations in that region so that rescuers could look for Austin in a letter to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. They have, according to public statements by Israeli officials.
They will be able to conduct a more comprehensive search for concealed cells in tunnels close to the presidential palace there if the bombing doesn’t occur, Debra said.
Additionally, why aren’t top U.S. officials there collaborating with rebels to find out Austin’s whereabouts and movements? Beyond a hazy security concern, we don’t really know. Of course, there’s a chance that things are going on behind the scenes for security reasons. Nevertheless, it is annoying that our own administration is now largely silent.
Although we think the incoming Trump administration is very interested in Austin’s case, we are aware that weeks or months may pass before a thorough search for Austin can begin due to the staffing and logistical challenges a new government confronts. That staff and organization are already in place in the Biden administration. We have a chance to locate Austin. The time has come.
We at McClatchy join Austin’s family in pleading with President Biden to keep in mind that Austin is not only an American hostage and Syrian prisoner, but also a brother, a son, and a coworker. Bring him home, please.
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