U.S. in direct contact with Syrian rebels who ousted Assad, Blinken says
1 week, 2 days ago

U.S. in direct contact with Syrian rebels who ousted Assad, Blinken says

LA Times  

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken speaks during his meeting with the United Nations special envoy for Syria in Jordan’s southern Red Sea coastal city of Aqaba on Saturday. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken said Saturday that American officials have been in direct contact with the Syrian rebel group that spearheaded the overthrow of President Bashar Assad’s government but is designated a foreign terrorist organization by the United States and others. Blinken is the first U.S. official to publicly confirm contacts between the Biden administration and Hayat Tahrir al Sham, or HTS, which led a coalition of armed opposition groups that ousted Assad from power last Sunday after a horrific civil war that began in 2011 with Assad’s brutal crackdown on pro-democracy protesters. The group’s leader, Ahmad al Sharaa, formerly known as Abu Mohammed al Golani, appeared in a video message Friday congratulating “the great Syrian people for the victory of the blessed revolution.” U.S. officials say Sharaa has been making welcome comments about protecting minority and women’s rights but remain skeptical that he will follow through on them in the long run.

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History of this topic

US drops $10M terrorism bounty offered for capture of Syrian rebel leader who ousted Assad
3 days, 13 hours ago

US drops $10M terrorism bounty offered for capture of Syrian rebel leader who ousted Assad

Associated Press  

DAMASCUS, Syria — The Biden administration said Friday it has decided not to pursue a $10 million reward it had offered for the capture of a Syrian rebel leader whose forces led the ouster of President Bashar Assad earlier this month. The announcement followed a meeting in Damascus between the leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS, Ahmad al-Sharaa, who …

U.S. holds first meeting with rebels in charge of Syria
3 days, 19 hours ago

U.S. holds first meeting with rebels in charge of Syria

LA Times  

A Syrian man holds the Syrian opposition flag as he passes by a picture of ousted Syrian President Bashar Assad in Damascus, Syria, on Dec. 9, 2024. Senior U.S. diplomats traveled to Damascus Friday and held a first-ever meeting with the rebels who toppled longtime dictator Bashar Assad. U.S. officials said they pressed the transitional government established by rebels to …

Kidnapped journalist Austin Tice went missing in Syria 12 years ago. The Assad regime collapse has renewed hopes he may be alive
5 days, 23 hours ago

Kidnapped journalist Austin Tice went missing in Syria 12 years ago. The Assad regime collapse has renewed hopes he may be alive

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. I speak passable Spanish and I’m slowly getting there with Arabic.” He added: “I’m …

No US group searching for missing journalist in Syria: Justice Department
6 days, 19 hours ago

No US group searching for missing journalist in Syria: Justice Department

India Today  

The US State Department on Monday said there is no US government organisation currently on the ground in Syria for the search of Austin Tice, an American journalist taken captive during a reporting trip in August 2012, but did not rule out the possibility. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters at a regular news briefing that the US was …

The search is on for Austin Tice: Who is US journalist who went missing in Syria in 2012?
1 week ago

The search is on for Austin Tice: Who is US journalist who went missing in Syria in 2012?

Firstpost  

Austin Tice was taken captive by a pro-Assad militia in 2012 after he travelled to Syria as a freelance journalist to cover the civil war. Tice can be heard reciting a prayer, in Arabic, before saying in English: “Oh Jesus, oh Jesus.” According to Forbes, the state department at the time claimed Tice had been captured by Assad’s government. But …

Mother of missing journalist Austin Tice says American found in Syria like ‘rehearsal’ of reconnecting with son
1 week ago

Mother of missing journalist Austin Tice says American found in Syria like ‘rehearsal’ of reconnecting with son

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The scores of prisoners …

US in ‘direct contact’ with Syrian rebel group, confirms Blinken
1 week, 1 day ago

US in ‘direct contact’ with Syrian rebel group, confirms Blinken

Hindustan Times  

The United States is in direct contact with the Syrian rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which has gained control of Damascus after overthrowing the over two-decade regime of Bashar al-Assad, US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken confirmed on Saturday. Blinken's visit to Baghdad was the final stop on his Middle East tour, following the toppling of President Bashar al-Assad's government …

Search for missing US reporter in Syria intensifies after Assad's ouster
Trending News
1 week, 1 day ago

Search for missing US reporter in Syria intensifies after Assad's ouster

India Today  

In the early days of 2013, an American man, dressed in ragged clothing, dodged between houses in the streets of Damascus' upscale Mazzeh neighbourhood looking for a civilian to take him to safety after more than five months of captivity in the concrete cells of a local prison. US officials say that Tice's 2013 escape from prison, where he was …

US has had direct contact with Syrian rebel group, Antony Blinken says
Trending News
1 week, 1 day ago

US has had direct contact with Syrian rebel group, Antony Blinken says

India Today  

AQABA, Jordan: American officials have been in direct contact with the terrorist-designated rebel group that led the overthrow of Syrian President Bashar Assad, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Saturday. He added that “our message to the Syrian people is this: We want them to succeed and we’re prepared to help them do so.” Blinken also stressed that “the …

U.S. officials have been in direct contact with the Syrian rebel group that ousted Assad, Blinken says
Top News
1 week, 1 day ago

U.S. officials have been in direct contact with the Syrian rebel group that ousted Assad, Blinken says

The Hindu  

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Saturday that American officials have been in direct contact with the Syrian rebel group that spearheaded the overthrow of President Bashar Assad’s government but is designated a foreign terrorist organization by the United States and others. Mr. Blinken is the first U.S. official to publicly confirm contacts between the Biden administration and …

US In Direct Contact with Syria’s HTS Rebels, Says Antony Blinken As Terrorist Designation Remains
Trending News
1 week, 2 days ago

US In Direct Contact with Syria’s HTS Rebels, Says Antony Blinken As Terrorist Designation Remains

ABP News  

The United States has established "direct contact" with Syria's victorious Hayat Tahrir al-Sham rebels, despite the group being designated as a terrorist organisation, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken confirmed on Saturday. In addition, Blinken revealed that the dialogue with HTS also involved sharing the US's principles for Syria, focusing on a peaceful transition. Syria's HTS Remains Classified As Terrorist …

Bashar al-Assad’s ouster: US in direct contact with rebels, once linked to Al-Qaida
1 week, 2 days ago

Bashar al-Assad’s ouster: US in direct contact with rebels, once linked to Al-Qaida

Live Mint  

US is in direct contact with the Syrian rebel group, that is designated as a foreign terrorist organisation by the United States and others, as announced by Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Saturday and reported by AP. Syrian rebel group, which was linked to Al-Qaida at one point of time, spearheaded the recent overthrow of President Bashar Assad's government. …

US officials have been in direct contact with the Syrian rebel group that ousted Assad, says Blinken
1 week, 2 days ago

US officials have been in direct contact with the Syrian rebel group that ousted Assad, says Blinken

New Indian Express  

JORDAN: U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Saturday that American officials have been in direct contact with the Syrian rebel group that spearheaded the overthrow of President Bashar Assad's government but is designated a foreign terrorist organization by the United States and others. Blinken is the first U.S. official to publicly confirm contacts between the Biden administration and Hayat …

Blinken makes unannounced Iraq visit to discuss Syria's future and regional security post-Assad
Top News
1 week, 3 days ago

Blinken makes unannounced Iraq visit to discuss Syria's future and regional security post-Assad

Firstpost  

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken made an unannounced visit to Iraq on Friday to meet Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani for talks on the future of neighboring Syria US Secretary of State Antony Blinken meets with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani in New York City, US, on September 23, 2024. Reuters File US Secretary of State Antony Blinken …

Syria: US man found near Damascus after spending months in prison
1 week, 3 days ago

Syria: US man found near Damascus after spending months in prison

Firstpost  

A 30-year-old US man, who was missing since May, has been found among thousands of prisoners freed by Syrian rebels after toppling Assad’s regime. Timmerman said since the guards were still there, the very thought which came on his mind was that the “warfare could have been more active than it ended up being.” Exclusive: The American citizen found near …

Travis Timmerman: Missing US man found near Damascus after months in Syrian prison
1 week, 3 days ago

Travis Timmerman: Missing US man found near Damascus after months in Syrian prison

India Today  

An American, Travis Timmerman, who spent seven months in a Syrian prison after crossing into the country on foot on a Christian pilgrimage, has been found. Exclusive: The American citizen found near the Syrian capital Damascus is named Travis Timmerman, and is not missing US journalist Austin Tice. When Timmerman was found, officials were looking for the missing US journalist …

Syria: Missing US man found in Southern Damascus, says prison experience 'wasn't too bad'
1 week, 3 days ago

Syria: Missing US man found in Southern Damascus, says prison experience 'wasn't too bad'

India TV News  

Damascus: Amid the political turmoil in Syria, a missing man from the US has been found in the country where he was kept in prison after entering the country as a pilgrim. It is to be noted that after rebels toppled Syria's former president Bashar al-Assad this week, thousands of persons from several prisons in the country have been released. …

Blinken makes unannounced trip to Iraq as international community grapples with Syrian regime collapse
Trending News
1 week, 3 days ago

Blinken makes unannounced trip to Iraq as international community grapples with Syrian regime collapse

CNN  

Baghdad CNN — US Secretary of State Antony Blinken made an unannounced visit to Iraq Friday to meet with Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani as the international community grapples with the implications of the Syrian government’s collapse. As the US works with its key regional partners like Iraq, there is particular focus on ensuring that “any interim government also makes …

Efforts To Locate U.S. Journalist Austin Tice Intensify After Fall Of Assad Regime
1 week, 4 days ago

Efforts To Locate U.S. Journalist Austin Tice Intensify After Fall Of Assad Regime

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING Efforts to locate Austin Tice, the U.S. journalist who was abducted while covering the civil war in Syria over 12 years ago, have gained new urgency following the sudden fall of Bashar Assad’s regime in the country. Tice’s father, Marc, told the newspaper he is “hopeful that the U.S. government would accept that offer.” Meanwhile, U.S. officials …

The fall of Syria brings hope to the family of Austin Tice
1 week, 4 days ago

The fall of Syria brings hope to the family of Austin Tice

LA Times  

Naomi Tice, sister of Austin Tice, a journalist who was kidnapped in Syria, speaks at the National Press Club in Washington, joined by family members on Dec. 6, 2024. At the very least, said Simon, the youngest of the siblings at 31 — the age Austin was when he was kidnapped — she wouldn’t have to experience “the frustration by …

Secretary of State Blinken is returning to the Mideast in his latest diplomatic foray
1 week, 5 days ago

Secretary of State Blinken is returning to the Mideast in his latest diplomatic foray

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Secretary of State Antony Blinken is returning to the Middle East this week on his 12th visit since the Israel-Hamas war erupted last year but his first since the ouster of Syrian President Bashar Assad. The State Department said Blinken would meet Jordanian officials, including King Abdullah II, in the port city of Aqaba on Thursday before flying …

As Syria's rebels turn rulers, world turns HTS 'terrorists' into partners
1 week, 5 days ago

As Syria's rebels turn rulers, world turns HTS 'terrorists' into partners

Firstpost  

As Syria’s rebel forces rise to power, the international community is faced with a stark dilemma with once-designated “terrorists” in HTS now being considered potential partners in the country’s future governance In a dramatic turn of events, the Syrian government led by Bashar al-Assad collapsed with the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, once an Al Qaeda affiliate, taking control of the country. …

Missing Journalist Austin Tice: U.S. hostage envoy Roger Carstens in Beirut to seek information
1 week, 6 days ago

Missing Journalist Austin Tice: U.S. hostage envoy Roger Carstens in Beirut to seek information

The Hindu  

The U.S. Government's top hostage negotiator is in Beirut in hopes of collecting information on the whereabouts of Austin Tice, an American journalist missing in Syria for 12 years, the State Department said on Monday. Roger Carstens, the special presidential envoy for hostage affairs, is talking to officials in the region following the overthrow of Bashar Assad’s Government to find …

Live updates: Syrians celebrate fall of Assad as Israel is accused of land grab
54 years, 11 months ago

Live updates: Syrians celebrate fall of Assad as Israel is accused of land grab

CNN  

This photo shows freelance journalist Austin Tice, who went missing in Syria in 2012. Fort Worth Star-Telegram/Tribune News Service/Getty Images American journalist Austin Tice vanished while reporting near Damascus in August 2012. The US has long believed Tice, a US Marine Corps veteran and former Georgetown law student, was being held by the Syrian government, though the regime never acknowledged …

The fall of Syria's Assad has renewed hope for the release of U.S. journalist Austin Tice
1 week, 6 days ago

The fall of Syria's Assad has renewed hope for the release of U.S. journalist Austin Tice

NPR  

The fall of Syria's Assad has renewed hope for the release of U.S. journalist Austin Tice toggle caption Joseph Eid/AFP via Getty Images After the stunning fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, U.S. officials say they are working with sources on the ground to get information about missing American journalist Austin Tice, according to national security adviser Jake Sullivan, who …

US rushes to uncover new information on whereabouts of Austin Tice after collapse of Syrian regime
1 week, 6 days ago

US rushes to uncover new information on whereabouts of Austin Tice after collapse of Syrian regime

CNN  

CNN — The US government is rushing to uncover new information on the whereabouts of Austin Tice following the collapse of the Syrian government this weekend. One US official told CNN that there is a “full-court press” to find Tice and that the US is “leaving no stone unturned.” The FBI on Sunday renewed its offer of up to $1 …

US expedites search for journalist Austin Tice after Assad's ouster from Syria
1 week, 6 days ago

US expedites search for journalist Austin Tice after Assad's ouster from Syria

India Today  

US officials were pressing on Monday for information about Austin Tice and to secure the release of the American journalist captured in Syria 12 years ago. Washington's hostage-affairs envoy Roger Carstens was in Beirut as part of intensive efforts to locate Tice, according to the State Department, while White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said other officials were seeking …

US hostage envoy in Beirut to seek information on missing journalist Austin Tice
1 week, 6 days ago

US hostage envoy in Beirut to seek information on missing journalist Austin Tice

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The U.S. government’s top hostage negotiator is in Beirut in hopes of collecting information on the whereabouts of Austin Tice, an American journalist missing in Syria for 12 years, the State Department said Monday. Roger Carstens, the special presidential envoy for hostage affairs, is talking to officials in the region following the overthrow of Bashar Assad’s government to …

US hostage envoy in Beirut to seek information on missing journalist Austin Tice
1 week, 6 days ago

US hostage envoy in Beirut to seek information on missing journalist Austin Tice

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The U.S. government's top …

Biden says US believes journalist who disappeared in Syria in 2012 is alive
Trending News
2 weeks ago

Biden says US believes journalist who disappeared in Syria in 2012 is alive

India Today  

President Joe Biden said on Sunday that the US government believes missing American journalist Austin Tice, who disappeared 12 years ago near the Syrian capital, is alive and that Washington is committed to bringing him home after Bashar Assad’s ouster from power in Damascus. Biden said officials must still identify exactly where Tice is after his disappearance in August 2012 …

‘Top priority’: US renews push to find Austin Tice after al-Assad toppled
Top News
2 weeks ago

‘Top priority’: US renews push to find Austin Tice after al-Assad toppled

Al Jazeera  

The US journalist is believed to be among 135,000 people detained or disappeared by Syrian government during war. The United States has renewed its efforts to locate missing journalist Austin Tice in Syria in the immediate aftermath of the toppling of the country’s longtime leader Bashar al-Assad in a surprise offensive. Just a day after opposition fighters led by the …

The US believes journalist Austin Tice is alive after disappearing in Syria in 2012, Biden says
2 weeks ago

The US believes journalist Austin Tice is alive after disappearing in Syria in 2012, Biden says

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden said Sunday that the U.S. government believes missing American journalist Austin Tice, who disappeared 12 years ago near the Syrian capital, is alive and that Washington is committed to bringing him home after Bashar Assad’s ouster from power in Damascus. “Assad should be held accountable.” Biden said officials must still identify exactly where Tice is …

DC Edit | Assad regime's fall in Syria changes Mideast dynamics
2 weeks ago

DC Edit | Assad regime's fall in Syria changes Mideast dynamics

Deccan Chronicle  

In a trice everything changed in Syria as the 50-year rule of the Assad family ended and the government collapsed, caving in to a lightning offensive of the rebels. The power equations in one of the world’s hottest of hot spots changed instantly with President Bashar al-Assad fleeing the country and leaving the superpowers and regional powers with an interest …

US caught by surprise as Syria overthrows al-Assad: Analysis
2 weeks, 1 day ago

US caught by surprise as Syria overthrows al-Assad: Analysis

Al Jazeera  

President Biden praises overthrow but warns of uncertainty, as analysts question his administration’s years-long deprioritisation of Syria. “So many of us analysts and Syria watchers have been wondering what’s going to come next.” “ will need to recalibrate their approach to Syria,” added Idlbi, who is also a Syrian refugee. He also pointed to US support for Ukraine’s war against …

Austin Tice is alive and well, says mom of US journalist missing in Syria for over a decade
2 weeks, 2 days ago

Austin Tice is alive and well, says mom of US journalist missing in Syria for over a decade

Hindustan Times  

The mother of Austin Tice, an American journalist missing in Syria for more than a decade, said Friday that she was confident her son was alive, citing information she said had come from a “significant source” that she did not identify but said had been vetted by the U.S. government and treated as credible. “The news we're hearing from the …

Mother of US journalist kidnapped in Syria says he's alive, family hopeful
2 weeks, 2 days ago

Mother of US journalist kidnapped in Syria says he's alive, family hopeful

Hindustan Times  

The mother of Austin Tice, the American journalist abducted in Syria in 2012, told reporters Friday that her son is believed to be alive and is being "treated well," without providing further details. The mother of Austin Tice, the American journalist abducted in Syria in 2012, told reporters on Friday that her son is believed to be alive. On Friday, …

Mother of Austin Tice, journalist missing in Syria, says new information proves her son is alive
Trending News
2 weeks, 2 days ago

Mother of Austin Tice, journalist missing in Syria, says new information proves her son is alive

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The mother of Austin …

Mother of Austin Tice, journalist missing in Syria, says new information proves her son is alive
2 weeks, 2 days ago

Mother of Austin Tice, journalist missing in Syria, says new information proves her son is alive

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The mother of Austin Tice, an American journalist missing in Syria for more than a decade, said Friday that she was confident her son was alive, citing information she said had come from a “significant source” that she did not identify but said had been vetted by the U.S. government and treated as credible. Tice’s mother and other …

Lebanon: Mediation ongoing for Austin Tice, held in Syria
2 years, 1 month ago

Lebanon: Mediation ongoing for Austin Tice, held in Syria

Associated Press  

BEIRUT — Lebanon is still mediating between the United States and Syria over the fate of American journalist Austin Tice who went missing a decade ago in the war-torn country, a Lebanese general said Tuesday. Lebanese Maj. Gen. Abbas Ibrahim, who met with U.S. officials in Washington in May as part of mediation efforts for Tice’s release, told reporters in …

Syria denies it is holding American journalist Austin Tice
2 years, 4 months ago

Syria denies it is holding American journalist Austin Tice

Associated Press  

DAMASCUS, Syria — Syria denied on Wednesday it is holding U.S. journalist Austin Tice or other Americans after President Joe Biden accused the Syrian government of detaining him. The Syrian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Damascus “denies it had kidnapped or is holding any American citizen on its territories.” “The U.S. issued last week misleading and illogical statements …

Austin Tice: Who is the American journalist believed to be held captive in Syria?
2 years, 4 months ago

Austin Tice: Who is the American journalist believed to be held captive in Syria?

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Biden ‘certain’ Syria captured journalist Last week, President …

Syria denies holding U.S. journalist Austin Tice, rejecting Biden’s allegations
2 years, 4 months ago

Syria denies holding U.S. journalist Austin Tice, rejecting Biden’s allegations

LA Times  

Syria denied Wednesday that it is holding U.S. journalist Austin Tice or other Americans after President Biden accused the government here of detaining him. The Syrian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Damascus “denies it had kidnapped or is holding any American citizen on its territories.” “The U.S. issued last week misleading and illogical statements by the American president …

Syria denies holding US journalist Austin Tice captive
2 years, 4 months ago

Syria denies holding US journalist Austin Tice captive

Al Jazeera  

Syria has denied kidnapping or keeping captive US journalist Austin Tice, who disappeared 10 years ago near Damascus. Syria’s foreign ministry issued a statement on Wednesday in response to United States President Joe Biden’s claims last week that he knew “with certainty” that Tice “has been held by the Syrian regime”, and called on Damascus to help bring him home. …

US ‘directly engaged’ with Syrian officials on Austin Tice case
2 years, 4 months ago

US ‘directly engaged’ with Syrian officials on Austin Tice case

Al Jazeera  

State Department spokesman renews pledge to secure return of US journalist believed to be held by Syrian government. The United States has “directly engaged” with Syrian officials on the detention of US journalist Austin Tice, a spokesman for the US Department of State said, as the Biden administration renewed its pledge to secure Tice’s safe return to the country. “We …

‘End this’ Biden tells Syria 10 years after Austin Tice abduction
2 years, 4 months ago

‘End this’ Biden tells Syria 10 years after Austin Tice abduction

Al Jazeera  

The Biden administration implored the Syrian government to work with the United States to return Tice home. US President Joe Biden reaffirmed his commitment to returning journalist Austin Tice home and implored the Syrian government to come to an agreement to secure his release 10 years after his abduction. “We have repeatedly asked the government of Syria to work with …

Lebanese general renews mediation over missing US journalist
2 years, 6 months ago

Lebanese general renews mediation over missing US journalist

Associated Press  

BEIRUT — A Lebanese security chief has met U.S. officials in Washington as part of mediation between Washington and Damascus for the release of an American journalist missing in Syria, the head of a mission that assists hostages said Wednesday. Nizar Zakka, President of the U.S.-based Hostage Aid Worldwide, told The Associated Press by telephone that Maj. Gen. Abbas Ibrahim …

Inside the secret talks with Syria aimed at freeing American hostages
3 years, 8 months ago

Inside the secret talks with Syria aimed at freeing American hostages

LA Times  

Marc and Debra Tice, parents of American journalist Austin Tice, who is missing in Syria, speak in Beirut in December 2018. The Syrian government officials they were scheduled to meet in Damascus, Syria’s capital, seemed ready to discuss the fate of U.S. hostages believed to be held in their country, including Austin Tice, a journalist captured eight years earlier. At …

Trump called on Assad to help find missing journalist: Pompeo
4 years, 4 months ago

Trump called on Assad to help find missing journalist: Pompeo

Al Jazeera  

Pompeo says Trump wrote to Assad, who the US wants deposed, to request help finding Austin Tice, missing since 2012. US President Donald Trump wrote to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in March to propose “direct dialogue” about the case of Austin Tice, a journalist who went missing in Syria in 2012, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has confirmed in a …

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