probably taking the kidnap-ees across the border and killing them in another country where it is safe... and then gets the video out without any resistance or tracking whatever. We don't have a lot of assets on the ground in Iran or Syria.
Who knows, they could be flying them out to Pakistan/Afghanistan, and we would not know it... not yet that is.
IMHO, when it is at all possible, all the "video's" are shot in ONE DAY, or in "film-talk", are "in the can"(i.e. the initial one of the capture, the begging part, and the killings.)
Why not do it that way? If they did it THAT way, it's quick, done, the killers can leave the area, and all that has to be done is release the tapes in order of maximum effect, and make it seem like these folks "can't be stopped" and makes Al-Zarqawi look like he is invincible, when in reality, he's back to his cowardly burka wearing ways out of site somewhere.
If it was me doing this crap, that's how I'd do it to get maximum effect and avoid capture.
....although the guy that controls the earthly "lightning" would know EXACTLY where I was, what I was doing, and I don't think our first face to face meeting would be at all pleasant.....
The bodies of the last two Americans were found in Baghdad area.