Washington, D.C., December 04, 2024 – The Hostage Aid welcomes the appointment of Ambassador Boehler as the new Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs. It is time for change and new leadership that brings fresh perspective, opportunities as well as innovative and creative thinking to build on the work of Ambassador Carstens in this critical role. 

President of Hostage Aid Worldwide, Nizar Zakka, applauds President – Elect Trump’s appointment of Ambassador Boehler. “We are optimistic about the out-of-the-box strategies and approaches Ambassador Boehler will bring to the mission to achieve the vital goal of bringing all American hostages home, including Austin Tice in Syria and those still held in Gaza and elsewhere. Hostage negotiations require hard work as well as regular advanced thinking and new methods in order to achieve the freedom of American nationals held abroad with the least concessions possible. We extend our best wishes to Ambassador Boehler and look forward to collaborating closely.”

Hostage Aid greatly looks forward to working with the new SPEHA to counter the hostage-taking business model and bring Americans home, while ensuring that the U.S. leads the global fight against unlawful detention and hostage-taking.