U.S. Judge Awards $180 Million to Post Reporter Held by Iran

JON GAMBRELL / The Associated Press Nov 23, 2019 The nation is ordered to pay Jason Rezaian after he spent 544 days in captivity and was tortured on still-unexplained espionage charges. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

‘Diplomacy Works’: Peace Groups Hail Iran Deal; Clinton Talks Like a Hawk

By Common Dreams staff Jan 18, 2016 "The implementation of the agreement proves that diplomacy works." Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Hostage Situation

Nick Anderson / Truthdig Dec 16, 2014 Dig deeper

Hostage Crisis Unfolds at Sydney Cafe

Kasia Anderson / Truthdig Dec 15, 2014 Five people managed to escape Monday from the Lindt Chocolate Cafe in Sydney, where they had been detained by an armed assailant who was still holding several hostages. Meanwhile, Australian authorities, from police to Prime Minister Tony Abbott, pushed to defuse the crisis. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

European Nations Funding Al-Qaida Through Ransom Payments

Kasia Anderson / Truthdig Jul 30, 2014 Although the governments of several European countries weren't exactly willing to corroborate this story, The New York Times reported Tuesday that al-Qaida has made a consistent practice of kidnapping European citizens for ransom, and it has paid off very well. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Algeria Hostage Crisis Comes to a Violent End

Staff / Truthdig Jan 20, 2013 "Algerian authorities said they believe the militants' attack was revenge for allowing France to use Algerian airspace for an offensive against Islamist militants in neighboring Mali," CNN reports. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Hostage-Taker Killed at Discovery Channel HQ

Staff / Truthdig Sep 1, 2010 A man holding three hostages at the Silver Spring, Md, headquarters of the Discovery Channel was shot to death by police Wednesday The gunman (continued) . Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Freed Captive Wants Colombia to Pay

Staff / Truthdig Jul 10, 2010 After spending six years as a hostage in Colombia, politician Ingrid Betancourt, who was rescued from her rebel captors in 2008, has filed a multimillion-dollar lawsuit against the Colombian state for "emotional stress and loss of earnings." Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

15 or Not, Alleged Pirate Will Be Tried as Adult

Staff / Truthdig Apr 22, 2009 Whether or not Abduwali Abukhadir Muse is 15, as his father claims, he will be tried in New York as an adult for his alleged role in holding an American ship captain as a hostage. Muse's mother, on the other side of the world, has asked President Obama for mercy, or to at least let her be with her son. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

The Obama Doctrine

E.J. Dionne Jr. / Truthdig Apr 16, 2009 The president insists that the U.S. can't achieve great objectives on its own. This may break with George W. Bush's style, but it is in keeping with the traditions of Roosevelt, Truman and George H.W. Bush. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Piracy of Africa [A Cartoon From Jordan]

Emad Hajjaj, Jordan Apr 16, 2009 Dig deeper

The Pirates Might Prefer Fish to Guns

William Pfaff / Truthdig Apr 15, 2009 Obama's promise that the U.S. and its allies will put an end to Indian Ocean piracy had the forceful ring to it that good American citizens like to hear, but half the NATO navies aren't going to change the desperate circumstances that turned Somalia's fisherman into pirates. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )