I hate to sound cold, but we shouldn’t pay a dime. It only encourages them to kidnap more Americans.
As far as I’m concerned, anyone traveling to the Middle East takes this risk upon themselves and shouldn’t expect us to bail them out.
If the Feds ordered you in, we will all expect the Feds to work nonstop to get you back.
If you voluntarily inserted yourself into a dangerous position, entirely of your own free will...try that website “gofundme” for the totally to be expected ransom demands.
What part of third world hellhole did you not understand?
Note-that also applies to everyone stupid enough to travel in Central and South American countries. But we are not supposed to talk about that....