Politics
Hostage’s Wife Seeks Hope Amid Diplomatic Stalemate
Clear Facts
- Anna Corbett, whose husband Ryan is held hostage by the Taliban in Afghanistan, shared her disappointment after a phone call with President Biden.
- Despite efforts to secure Ryan’s release, Corbett expressed frustration over the lack of progress and hopes for a resolution with the incoming Trump administration.
- The Biden administration has been negotiating a potential prisoner swap with the Taliban, but talks have reportedly stalled.
Anna Corbett, the wife of an American held hostage in Afghanistan, recently opened up about her “devastating” phone conversation with President Biden. Her husband, Ryan, has been in the hands of the Taliban since 2022, and she has been advocating for his release ever since.
During the long-awaited call, President Biden expressed empathy but offered no concrete solution for Ryan’s release.
“He was very kind and empathetic, but what I heard him say is that he is not bringing Ryan home, and that was absolutely devastating,” Corbett shared.
The White House confirmed that Biden had spoken with the families of Ryan and two other Americans unjustly held in Afghanistan since 2022. Ryan’s capture occurred during a business trip in August 2022, a year after the U.S. withdrawal from the region.
Corbett described the dire conditions her husband faces, stating, “It’s very difficult because his conditions are not livable. He is physically declining. He told me on a call that I would not recognize him.”
In a bid to escalate her advocacy, Corbett traveled to Mar-a-Lago, hoping to garner attention from President-elect Donald Trump.
“I have heard from several that President Trump is concerned about our family,” Corbett noted. Her efforts paid off, as she met with incoming National Security Adviser Mike Waltz to discuss Ryan’s situation.
“It was just mind-blowing because it took 16 months to actually get a meeting,” she remarked, contrasting her experience with the current administration. “This shows that President Trump is very concerned, is wanting to prioritize our family.”
Reports indicate that the Biden administration was negotiating a prisoner swap with the Taliban, involving three U.S. citizens in exchange for a Guantanamo Bay detainee. However, these talks have reportedly stalled, with the Taliban preferring to negotiate with the Trump administration.
Despite previous setbacks, Corbett remains hopeful about the Trump administration’s potential to secure Ryan’s release.
“I absolutely believe they will bring Ryan home,” she asserted. “The details, of course, are unclear. This is complicated, and I’m not an expert in any of this, but it’s very clear that the incoming administration cares about bringing U.S. citizens back.”
Corbett also shared a poignant moment from a recent conversation with her husband.
“He wants to come home and be with his family,” she said. “He’s an amazing dad. And he said, ‘I feel bad for all that you’re having to do for me.’ And of course, I will do everything I can. I’m a mom. This is what moms do.”
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