‘We Want to Negotiate’ Challenges U.S. Policy on Not Paying Ransom for Hostages




KQED's Forum show

Summary: The mantra "We will not negotiate with terrorists" has long guided American policy on rescuing hostages, the idea being that paying ransom only encourages kidnapping and terrorism. But in his new book, "We Want to Negotiate: The Secret World of Kidnapping, Hostages and Ransom," journalist Joel Simon argues for a different approach, one he calls "strategic ambiguity." Simon compares U.S. hostage situations with those involving European nations that routinely pay ransom. We'll talk with Simon about his book and about his work as executive director of the Committee to Protect Journalists.