Syrian Govt Gone on the “Genuine” Defrock – Claiming No Lock‑up of US Reporter
Amman, 17 Aug – In a move that feels like a diplomatic mixtape gone flat, Syria on Wednesday firmly denied holding—or even knowing about—the disappearance of a U.S. journalist who was last seen a decade ago.
Who’s Austin Tice?
- Former U.S. Marine turned freelance reporter
- Kidnapped in August 2012 in Damascus while covering the uprising against President Bashar al‑Assad
- Had his life in the middle of the war
His family still clings to the hope that he’s alive and hidden somewhere in the country. No one has stepped forward to flash the face of the men who might be holding him, and the case has faced a “no‑claim” tag.
Syrian Ministry’s “Clean Slate” Response
The foreign ministry stamped Austin’s status as a mere “U.S. serviceman” and outright denied that the government was keeping him—or any other American—behind bars.
“These are baseless allegations,” the ministry boasted in a statement.
They added: “We’re not running a one‑man prison for U.S. reporters.”
Biden’s “Urgent” (and Repeated) Appeals
On what would have been the 10th anniversary of his disappearance, President Joe Biden lofted his frustrations to the same audience. A recent statement said his administration had “repeatedly asked” the Syrian government to do the right thing and return Austin to smooth pavement at home.
He even admitted Washington had “with certainty” believed the Syrian government had once had a role in the abduction.
What Western Diplomats Are Saying
Washington has been suspended from Syria since the civil war’s early days. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken noted that President Biden’s special envoy for hostage affairs, Roger Carstens, would keep “vurring the whispers” with Syrian officials in hopes of negotiating a release.
Meanwhile, families of incapacitated hostages are teaming up—like a choir—calling for Biden to crank up the intensity of diplomatic efforts. They’re pushing for more hostage swaps and maybe even a… special “go-to-door” strategy? (You’re welcome, negotiators!)
Takeaway for the Rest of Us
While this drama feels like a drama novel with a twist, the key point is that U.S. citizens remain in peril—behind a country that’s gone on the “no‑says” protocol.
Perhaps if the U.S. embassy had not been suspended like a black‑list, Mrs. Tice could swap her Netflix binge for a = “free” asylum” access? Let’s hope they fix that! =D
