Insurance Companies Are Creating an Economy of Extortion

Renee Dudley / ProPublica Aug 29, 2019 Even when public agencies and companies hit by ransomware could recover their files on their own, insurers prefer to pay the ransom. Why? Dig deeper ( 14 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 )

They’re Kidnapping People for Money in Syria

Alexander Reed Kelly / Truthdig Aug 12, 2013 The Syrian civil war has given rise to a wave of kidnappings and ransoms as desperate members of the opposition movement struggle to support themselves and their cause, Patrick Cockburn writes at The Independent. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Ahmadinejad’s U.N. Speech Prompts Another Delegate Walkout

Staff / Truthdig Sep 23, 2011 Delegates from the United States and Europe walked out of the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday afternoon in the middle of a speech by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad when he began expressing anti-Israeli sentiment. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Fighting Pirates in the 21st Century

Staff / Truthdig Oct 2, 2008 Piracy has gotten so bad off the coast of Somalia that the European Union is prepared to form an anti-piracy force to police the region. The unresolved seizure of a freighter loaded with Russian tanks is the most recent in a spate of incidents involving more than 60 vessels and $30 million in ransom so far this year. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

The Real Operation to ‘Rescue’ Ingrid Betancourt

Staff / Truthdig Jul 9, 2008 The July 2nd rescue of French-Colombian politician Ingrid Betancourt and U.S. mercenaries employed by the Northrop Grumman Corp. was heralded as a dramatic victory over the anti-imperial FARC guerrilla forces in Colombia. The real story may be significantly less daring. The mainstream media's heroic rescue narrative is being contradicted by claims that a $20-million ransom payment was made. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Manhunt Intensifies in Iraq

Staff / Truthdig May 16, 2007 U.S. forces are making a military and multimedia blitz in and around Baghdad to find the three American soldiers missing since last weekend. Planes dropped leaflets offering a $200,000 reward, the same message was broadcast over loudspeakers and local radio, and hundreds of Iraqis have been held for questioning in recent days, according to the Los Angeles Times. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )