Key Takeaways:
* Freelance journalist and Marine veteran Austin Tice has been reportedly alive and well after being kidnapped in Syria in 2012.
* Austin Tice’s family expresses frustration about the U.S government’s inability to bring him home, despite being aware of his welfare and captivity.
* The family has received new and credible information that Austin Tice is being well-cared for.
* The Tice family held meetings with the National Security Council and the State Department seeking commitment from President Joe Biden on Austin’s immediate return.
* The Tice family expresses hope in President-elect Donald Trump’s interest in their son’s case, following alleged roadblocks set up by members of his administration.
Austin Tice’s Family Asserts He’s Alive and Well
Austin Tice, a freelance journalist kidnapped in Syria more than 12 years ago, is reportedly alive and in good health. His family recently revealed this information in a news conference on Friday at the National Press Club. Debra Tice, Austin’s mother, confirmed that their source was credible and extensively vetted by government security departments.
Tice has been missing since August 14, 2012, while covering the Syrian civil war. Despite his disappearance, no one has publicly claimed responsibility for his kidnapping.
Role of the U.S Government
The family expressed its dissatisfaction with the U.S government for its perceived incapacity to bring Austin home. They believe that the government is withholding crucial information about Austin’s well-being. This frustration stems from the certainty expressed by President Biden about Austin’s capture by the Syrian regime, despite no entity claiming responsibility for the same.
Diverging Details from Previous Leads
This recent information differs significantly from previous leads. As the father Marc Tice pointed out, the fresh details confirmed that Austin’s alive and being properly cared for as of earlier this year. The family is putting stock in this information, citing its verification by various U.S security entities.
Urgent Meetings and Pleas for Aid
The Tice family attended various meetings with the National Security Council, including Biden’s national security adviser Jake Sullivan, and the State Department to discuss Austin’s case. They asked if the ongoing offensive in Syria could be used to their advantage for facilitating Austin’s release. Despite these pleas, the family has yet to receive any assurances from either party.
A Glint of Hope in the Incoming Administration
Debra Tice expressed positive expectations for President-elect Trump’s potential influence on Austin’s case. She cited Trump’s notable commitment, during his first term, to bring Austin home despite alleged administrative hurdles. Debra Tice further stated that Mike Pompeo and John Bolton, Trump’s existing CIA director and national security adviser, had actively obstructed her son’s rescue.
In Conclusion
As the family continues to seek answers and assistance from the U.S government, their hope remains alive. With the change in administration, they hope for a renewed commitment to bring Austin Tice home. Being a freelance journalist and marine veteran, Austin Tice’s last trace was a distressing video of him blindfolded by apparent captors, which surfaced weeks after his disappearance. In the years since, his case has been a strong reminder of the perils journalists face covering conflicts globally.