Posted on 01/29/2015 12:41:44 PM PST by SeekAndFind
When the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria set terms for the release of a Jordanian fighter pilot captured when his plane was disabled over Syria, it was only marginally shocking that Jordan signaled it was willing to negotiate with ISIS fighters. That decision had some shock value not only because it is generally rare to see Western coalition partners negotiate with groups they admit to be terrorist organizations, but because the prisoner ISIS demanded in exchange was involved in one of the worst terrorist attacks in that country’s history.
No sooner had bilateral negotiations between the Hashemite Kingdom and ISIS begun that they apparently failed. This week, it was revealed that both that government and Japan were jointly negotiating for the release of the captured Jordanian pilot and one of two surviving Japanese citizens also being held for ransom by ISIS. However, the Jordanian government disclosed in a statement on Thursday has yet to receive proof that their country’s citizen is still alive. Without proof of life, Jordan indicated that it is prepared to walk away from the negotiating table.
“For days, Jordanian officials have said they’re willing to swap al-Rishawi for al-Kassasbeh,” CNN reported. “Government spokesman Mohammed al-Momani reiterated as much late Thursday afternoon, about an hour before the purported deadline. But he also said Jordan is not about to pull off a deal yet, having received no proof that its pilot is still alive.”
Meanwhile, a report in the Jordan-based outlet Al Bawaba noted that Jordanian officials are no longer suggesting that they are negotiating on behalf of Japan.
Meanwhile, Japanese journalist Goto has all but disappeared from the mouths of Jordanian officials. Kasasbeh’s father said Wednesday the government should focus on securing his son’s release, adding that [captured Japanese journalist Kenji] Goto “has his country to defend him.”
Also on Wednesday, Momani announced Jordan was ready to trade Rishawi if the pilot was “released unharmed.” No mention was made about Goto.
ISIS originally set a deadline for the conclusion of negotiations on Wednesday but it was extended to sunset on Thursday. That deadline has come and gone, and no proof of life was provided to Jordanian officials. “There was no official statement from the Jordanian government that Ms. Rishawi was still in the country, but officials repeated their position that they required proof that Lieutenant [Moaz al] Kasasbeh was still alive,” The New York Times reported.
If ISIS cannot provide any proof of life for their missing pilot, it is entirely possible that none exists. It will be interesting to see how that eventually would impact the low-intensity campaign that Jordan is waging against ISIS over Syria.
Yeah, so? ISIS ain’t giving no one a break. Not even Jordan.
I’d like to see what’ll happen when SAUDI’s are treated this way. They may be at the top of the muzzie food chain, but I’ll bet even Saudi Arabia will back off.
Japanese journalist Goto has all but disappeared from the mouths of Jordanian officials. Kasasbeh's father said Wednesday the government should focus on securing his son's release, adding that [captured Japanese journalist Kenji] Goto "has his country to defend him."
I am pleased that Jordan is showing more backbone than the Sunni Muslim in the White House did.
We captured your pilots, therefore, this is what we want in return. I think you need to negotiate and get the man back. You can go after the person you traded him for in the future, but they need to get the pilot back if it’s an exchange for one prisoner.
Are you telling me if one of our pilots is shot down, we won’t empty Guantanomo for him? Esp after we’ve given up five for a deserter.
ISIS is going to behead the pilot, if they haven’t already. They aren’t negotiating. What’s happening now is, the Jordanian monarchy is trying to make it look good and hope it drags on long enough for the Jordanian public to not blame the monarchy — obviously this happened because Jordan put pilots in harm’s way, fighting ISIS, which probably enjoys the support of perhaps 20% of Jordan’s population, perhaps more.
The only way I’d empty Gitmo is by shooting every interned terrorist through the mouth, a hole in one.
It is so sad to see the faces of the hostages, knowing that their heads will soon be severed from their bodies by a pack of satanic animals.
If a pilot of Putin’s was captured by ISIS, I suspect any traded ISIS prisoners would be returned with a little Polonium discreetly added.
WE sent five gitmo prisoners for one deserter. You’re telling me that if ISIS gets one of our pilots you wouldn’t consider the same swap?
You suspect correctly - they’ve done it before if not to the ‘suspect’ but to their families.
Jordan’s leadership although pro-west is increasingly having a challenge keeping its bedouins and islamics in check. Jordan will be in the same boat, sooner or later, as Saudi Arabia.
I would believe the negotiations will resume
My experience with Arabs is that they enjoy the wrangling and negotiation more then the outcome and if there is a glimmer of hope will continue to wrangle
Some Arabs do like wrangling, but if we’re talking about ‘true black’ ISIS, they don’t ‘negotiate’, they dictate, and the outcome will be the same, hostages usually end up dead.
My view on our foreign policy has made a 180 degree turn. We need to quit meddling abroad and instead secure our borders and rebuild America. We’ve played the meddling game for too long and in far too many cases it has backfired.
We’re finding out the hard way that heavy handed dictators can represent a better outcome than anarchy in these tribal regions. It can be better for stability in their country and the world. Nation building is not a viable policy in many areas of the world that have a culture of tribalism. America was better off with the status quo than the wasting of trillions of dollars and many thousands of lives to topple regimes under the pretext of creating democracy.
If ISIL killed the pilot, Jorden should immediately carry out the execution of all detainees currently under death sentences.
They are only a liability to keep holding them.
Agreed.
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