During the years since 2015 while I have worked to help locate and free journalist Austin Tice, I have several times thought: this is the best time ever to pull together to find Austin, who is the longest held US journalist. Timing seemed right. Circumstances seemed right. It was clear what had to be done. Now feels like such a time.

While the trail seemed to run cold for a moment after the fall of Damascus, there are now, once again, many promising leads and areas that can and must be explored. We are at a new crossroads and all signs are pointing to a powerful push toward year end to bring Austin home. 

We appreciate the dedicated and hard working government teams that must carry out the diplomatic work essential to a positive outcome. But they have many competing interests for their time and energy. 

NGOs like Voices Unbound are working with contacts in government, media and other networks to uncover more and more of Austin’s story and it feels like there is so much more now within reach.

For the longest time we knew who was holding Austin and where he was held. As the Syrian Government and their partners in the IRGC denied holding Austin the USG almost went along, treating his case like a kidnapping. Now, finally, because of journalism, we have the truth. Documents show Austin was taken and held by Syria. And while no documents yet show he left Damascus with the IRGC, journalists are hearing more and more that this is the case. This is a huge potential breakthrough.

We are overjoyed that Austin’s mom, Debra has recovered her health and is able to once again travel and meet with key contacts in DC, Europe and the Middle East. And we are grateful for the important work the Tice siblings were able to do while Debra regained her strength.

In April, I interviewed Naomi, Jacob and Abigail about what they wanted to see the USG do next for Austin.  They were very clear and candid in their proposals calling for a more active approach toward Russia (to get access to Assad); toward Israel (to get access to information Mossad may have); and toward Iran (so that pressure can be put on the IRGC to produce Austin).

This was an incredibly effective program leading to attendance by media from U.S. and the Middle East as well as government officials and NGOs. Articles (and audio) appeared on NPR and other media. We also heard from journalists who were pursuing other important angles with new leads.

The work by the Tice siblings was impressive and necessary but when we recently reviewed the USG response and follow up we were greatly disappointed, especially by the lack of public strategy by the White House and State Department. It was almost as if they ignored these heartfelt pleas for action from the family. We know much government work is done behind the scenes (this is also true of Voices Unbound); but public statements by the President, SPEHA, Secretary of State and others are needed for leadership and are painfully absent.

The FBI statement was more like a wanted poster. You might ask: What more can they do? Here are a few simple things:

– Say Austin’s name. Say it often. Speak publicly about him. Don’t just say he is a priority, show he is a priority. Challenge your government to do more for Austin and to act with urgency.

– FBI must provide the family with full transcripts of their interview with Basam Hassan who claimed without evidence that Austin died in 2013. This has been requested by the family and not provided.

– Begin Extradition proceedings against Basam Hassan as accessory to first degree murder of a U.S. citizen. He confessed to the crime on CNN. Why has he not been extradited? 

– FBI should issue a statement that Basam Hassan was given a polygraph test and failed. This is true, but has not been officially disclosed. This fact would be widely reported in the press if stated by the FBI. Not doing this has allowed the false story that Austin died in 2013 to dominate news coverage about him. CNN is even winning awards for this story. But the source is a liar.

   Earlier this month I interviewed Debra about her priorities. This is what she said:

– She is still waiting for SPEHA to set up a meeting with its Israeli counterpart. She has not even received acknowledgment of this request by SPEHA or a copy of the email SPEHA sent  requesting the meeting.

– She is asking to meet Jay Clayton, the new DNI, to regain access to government files about Austin that were provided by Tulsi Gabbard.

– She is asking to see a copy of the letter USG has sent to Iran asking for the IRGC to release Austin. A US citizen was recently released from Evin Prison so it is possible to do this and USG knows who and how to ask.

There are other sources of help coming to her side. In early September,  BBC will release a new documentary podcast, years in the making on Austin. This will also air on NPR in the U.S. which is amazing. She will visit the Vatican where the former Cardinal of Damascus is now working directly with Pope Leo on special projects and discuss Austin’s case; and in October there will be the 2nd annual conference on Austin Tice led by Voices Unbound and partners to discuss the urgent steps needed to bring Austin home. The all day conference was a huge success last year and we are eager to see everyone in person and online.

At the center of all this is Debra Tice, a woman of extreme dedication and admirable courage. We all look forward to supporting her efforts and encouraging the government to show how it is doing the same. Together we can help bring her son home.

By: William McCarren – Executive Director of Voices Unbound