On September 13, 2023, TSC’s founder Ali Soufan joined the Future Security Forum hosted by New America in Washington D.C. A panel discussion on ‘What is the Future of the U.S. Response to Hostage Taking?’ addressed the present-day hostage recovery landscape to bring Americans home from both state and non-state captors. Mr. Soufan spoke on the importance of partnership, especially between governments and non-governmental organizations in resolving complex hostage cases, as well as with third-party mediators at the international level. He also touched on the importance of deterrence and prevention. Other speakers on the panel included Ambassador Roger Carstens, Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs, Cynthia Loerstcher from the James W. Foley Legacy Foundation, Elizabeth Whelan the sister of Paul Whelan, and moderated by Sarah Levinson Moriarty from New America.
