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Obama orders review of US hostage policy
The Hill ^ | November 18, 2014 | Kristina Wong

Posted on 11/18/2014 5:34:50 AM PST by Cincinatus' Wife

President Obama has ordered a review of how the U.S. handles the taking of hostages by overseas terrorist groups, according to letter by Christine Wormuth, the Pentagon's undersecretary of defense for policy.

"As a result of the increased frequency of hostage-taking of Americans overseas, and the recognition of the dynamic threat posed by specific terrorist groups, the President recently directed a comprehensive review of the U.S. government policy on overseas terrorist-related hostage cases, with specific emphasis on examining family engagement, intelligence collection, and diplomatic engagement policies," Wormuth wrote on Nov. 11 in a letter to Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.).

Hunter had pressed the administration on its hostage policy over the summer, criticizing its process for seeking the release of hostages as wrought with bureaucratic infighting between government agencies, that was undermining release efforts.

The letter did not say whether the U.S. was reconsidering its policy of not paying ransom for hostages.

The review, first reported by The Daily Beast, comes a day after a video published showing the beheading of former U.S. Army Ranger Peter Kassig by the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

It also comes after complaints by family members of slain American journalist James Foley, who was beheaded over the summer by ISIS, that different parts of the U.S. government were telling them different things in regards to paying a ransom. In addition, they said the White House threatened them with prosecution if they paid a ransom.

ISIS earlier this summer also beheaded American journalist Steven Sotloff, and British aid workers Davide Haines and Alan Henning. Kassig was the third American beheaded by the group.

Wormuth's letter comes in reply to an Aug. 20 letter by Hunter to President Obama asking him to appoint one person to oversee hostage release efforts.

"Based on the information I have received, I am very concerned that the U.S. government -- including the FBI -- is not adequately pursuing and exhausting opportunities to protect these individuals and to potentially secure their release," Hunter wrote.

Wormuth said in her letter she was asked to respond on the president's behalf.


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Extended News; Foreign Affairs; Government
KEYWORDS: hostage; nationalsecurity; ransom; terrorism

1 posted on 11/18/2014 5:34:50 AM PST by Cincinatus' Wife
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To: Cincinatus' Wife

Bitter Clingers beware !


2 posted on 11/18/2014 5:48:31 AM PST by Iron Munro (DHS has the same headcount as the US Marine Corps with twice the budget)
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To: Cincinatus' Wife

he wants to pay them off


3 posted on 11/18/2014 5:51:43 AM PST by dila813
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To: Cincinatus' Wife

How much of the “Ransom” money will find its way into Democrat coffers?


4 posted on 11/18/2014 5:55:46 AM PST by GOJPN
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To: Cincinatus' Wife
Dealing with Pirates (and terrorists) Russian Style
5 posted on 11/18/2014 5:56:49 AM PST by NonValueAdded (Pointing out dereliction of duty is NOT fear mongering, especially in a panDEMic)
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To: Cincinatus' Wife

policy? it is a freaging war! He talks about it in how to deal with single mothers on food stamps.


6 posted on 11/18/2014 5:57:38 AM PST by lavaroise (A well regulated gun being necessary to the state, the rights of the militia shall not be infringed)
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To: Cincinatus' Wife

He sees this as a great opportunity to give some of our money to his ISIS buddies.


7 posted on 11/18/2014 6:07:06 AM PST by NEMDF
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To: Cincinatus' Wife

Enemy islamist øbola


8 posted on 11/18/2014 6:17:57 AM PST by onedoug
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To: GOJPN

This will be going directly to ISIS. It’s Obama’s backdoor way of funding his buds.


9 posted on 11/18/2014 6:29:38 AM PST by livius
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To: Cincinatus' Wife

http://www.barenakedislam.com/category/beheadings-graphic


10 posted on 11/18/2014 6:33:43 AM PST by KeyLargo
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To: Cincinatus' Wife

American citizens, I am going to go out on a limb here, and tell you to stay your ass home. It’s a dangerous world and Obama won’t help you if you are taken.


11 posted on 11/18/2014 6:44:39 AM PST by Sybeck1 (Thad is a thud for me)
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To: Cincinatus' Wife

BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH - says nothing!


12 posted on 11/18/2014 6:50:30 AM PST by Thank You Rush
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To: Cincinatus' Wife

We don’t deal with terrorists—period.

That review took all of three seconds.

What else is on the to-do list, other than golf, for today?


13 posted on 11/18/2014 6:57:39 AM PST by exit82 ("The Taliban is on the inside of the building" E. Nordstrom 10-10-12)
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To: Cincinatus' Wife

So, now the US is going to start paying ransoms?


14 posted on 11/18/2014 7:05:21 AM PST by servo1969
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To: exit82

“We don’t deal with terrorists—period....”

Unless we’re turning them loose.


15 posted on 11/18/2014 7:46:21 AM PST by Cincinatus' Wife
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To: Cincinatus' Wife
The letter did not say whether the U.S. was reconsidering its policy of not paying ransom for hostages.

Exchanging Bergdahl for 5 other terrorists was a ransom, wasn't it?
16 posted on 11/18/2014 8:48:16 AM PST by Old Yeller (D.A.M.N. - Deport All Muslims Now! Starting in the White House.)
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To: dila813

The brotherhood nods.


17 posted on 11/18/2014 8:51:42 AM PST by Vaduz
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