Free Republic

Hi everyone – apologies for the hiatus. I’ve been underwater lately with work and hitting the media circuit so the blog drew the short end of the stick. I’m back in the saddle and have some exciting things in the pipeline that should break soon. While you wait, here’s a long-overdue round-up of my recent antics:

An Afghan negotiator has given the Chosun Ilbo an insight into the hidden story of negotiations with the Taliban for the release of 21 Koreans held captive by the Islamist group. Lawmaker Abdul Salam Raketi said Taliban militants have refused to meet tribal elders, who usually play a central role in hostage negotiations. Raketi was himself a senior member of the Taliban and led abductions in the past. In an exclusive interview, Raketi spoke at his house in the Afghan capital of Kabul with Korean freelancer Jean Chung. He hinted that the hostage crisis will drag on, saying a swap...