This event was held April 2, 2020. Find the video of the event here.

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Please note that this event will be online only. You can join the event via Zoom by clicking here. We recommend you join by computer, however if you are unable, you can join by phone: +1-929-436-2866. International dial-in numbers can be found here. The meeting ID is: 437 526 533.

Having a son or daughter, husband or mother taken hostage or detained in a foreign land is one of the most frightening experiences imaginable. On April 2, The James W. Foley Legacy Foundation in partnership with New America present the findings of the 2020 edition of its annual study, “Bringing Americans Home,” the second non-governmental review of U.S. hostage and detainee policy. The report is based on interviews with 25 American hostages, detainees, family members, and representatives and provides a unique insight into the experiences of Americans held abroad and their families.

To discuss the report and efforts to bring Americans held abroad home in this virtual event are Diane Foley, President and Founder of the James W. Foley Legacy Foundation; Cynthia Loertscher, the report’s author and primary researcher; Rachel Briggs, Executive Director of Hostage US; and Lisa Monaco, Distinguished Senior Fellow at the Reiss Center on Law and Security at NYU School of Law and former Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism.

Participants:

Diane Foley, @JamesFoleyFund
President and Founder, James W. Foley Legacy Foundation

Cynthia Loertscher, @CindyLoertscher
Author and Primary Researcher, “Bringing Americans Home”

Rachel Briggs, @rachelbriggsuk Recipient of an OBE by Her Majesty the Queen in recognition of her work with hostages Executive Director of Hostage US

Lisa Monaco Former Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism
Distinguished Senior Fellow, Reiss Center for Law and Security at NYU School of Law
Partner, O’Melveny and Myers

Moderator:

Peter Bergen, @peterbergencnn Vice President, New America