RSF Urges U.S. to Seize the Moment and Free Austin Tice from Syrian Captivity

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is calling on the Biden administration to act decisively to secure the release of American journalist Austin Tice, who has been held captive in Syria since 2012. With the recent collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, RSF argues that the United States now has a rare and urgent opportunity to resolve one of the longest-standing journalist abduction cases in modern history.

Tice, a former U.S. Marine and freelance reporter for outlets including The Washington Post, CBS, and McClatchy, disappeared near Damascus on August 14, 2012, while covering the Syrian civil war. Though the Syrian government has long denied involvement, multiple sources—including U.S. intelligence, released detainees, and ex-Syrian officials—confirm he was held by Assad’s forces. A 2012 video showing Tice blindfolded remains the only public evidence of his captivity.

With Assad ousted and rebel groups now controlling large parts of Syria, RSF stresses that the geopolitical landscape has shifted dramatically. Previous diplomatic roadblocks have weakened, and new access to former regime facilities and rebel intermediaries may provide channels for direct negotiation. RSF urges the Biden administration to make Tice’s release a top diplomatic priority, leveraging both its influence and intelligence capabilities.

U.S. officials have maintained that Tice is alive. In 2022, former detainee Saher al-Ahmad reported seeing Tice in a Syrian prison. Further, recently leaked intelligence files corroborate his presence in state detention facilities through at least 2021.

This moment carries added weight as other American detainees have reportedly been released during the recent regime transition, including U.S. pilgrim Travis Timmerman. Tice’s family, along with human rights groups, continues to push for action, believing that political will—not lack of information—is the remaining barrier.

RSF insists the window to act may be narrow. They urge Washington to mobilize all diplomatic tools—through regional allies, humanitarian appeals, and international legal channels—to bring Austin Tice home. After more than a decade in captivity, the time for action, RSF states, is now.