In a heartfelt conversation this Sunday, President Joe Biden reached out to the families of three Americans still being held in Afghanistan. While it was a much-needed call, the news is bittersweet – there’s no deal yet to bring them home.
The Families’ Battle to Bring Loved Ones Back
The families of Ryan Corbett, George Glezmann, and Mahmood Habibi have been anxiously waiting for progress in the negotiations to bring their loved ones back from Afghanistan. These three Americans were kidnapped by the Taliban in separate incidents between 2022 and 2023. While the Biden administration is working hard to reach an agreement, there’s still no resolution on a possible deal.
The Biden administration is considering a swap – the release of one of the Taliban’s remaining detainees at Guantanamo Bay, Muhammad Rahim, in exchange for the return of these three Americans. However, talks have hit a roadblock.
Who Are These Americans?
Ryan Corbett, who lived in Afghanistan with his family, was taken by the Taliban in August 2022. He had been on a business trip when he was abducted. George Glezmann, an airline mechanic from Atlanta, was also seized by the Taliban’s intelligence in December 2022. Both men are believed to still be held by the Taliban.
Then there’s Mahmood Habibi, an Afghan-American businessman. Habibi was working for a Kabul-based telecommunications company when he disappeared in 2022, alongside 29 other employees. The rest of his colleagues have since been freed, but Habibi remains in captivity. The Taliban has denied having him, making negotiations even more complicated.
A Delicate Situation
President Biden was clear during his conversation with the families: the U.S. government would not proceed with a swap unless the Taliban first releases Habibi. Habibi’s brother, Ahmad, expressed gratitude for Biden’s commitment, saying the President assured them that his brother wouldn’t be left behind.
But for the families of George Glezmann and Ryan Corbett, the wait continues. Glezmann’s family lawyer, Dennis Fitzpatrick, criticized the lack of progress, claiming the White House had the chance to bring George home but wasn’t acting fast enough.
Ryan Fayhee, representing Corbett’s family, thanked Biden for his personal call but urged the President to act swiftly. “There’s a deal on the table. The decision is in the President’s hands,” Fayhee said, hoping Biden would make a decision despite the deal’s imperfections.
What’s at Stake?
Time is running out. If no deal is made before January 20, 2025, the responsibility will shift to the incoming administration. It remains unclear if the next administration, under Donald Trump, would be willing to make a similar deal, especially considering the risk of releasing a Guantanamo detainee considered a national security threat.
A Long-Standing Issue at Guantanamo
There are currently just 15 detainees left at Guantanamo, a far cry from the 800 who were there at the peak. Muhammad Rahim, who has been held at Guantanamo since 2008, is one of the last remaining detainees who has never been charged, yet is considered a serious threat to U.S. security. He’s believed to have worked closely with senior al-Qaeda figures, including Osama bin Laden.
Despite this, the U.S. government has never publicly revealed evidence against him, leaving his case shrouded in secrecy. Rahim’s attorney, James Connell, recently spoke to the U.N. about the lack of transparency, claiming that Rahim’s every word is classified.
A Tense Situation and Uncertain Future
While the families hold on to hope, the path forward remains uncertain. Negotiations are slow, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. For these families, every day spent waiting feels like an eternity, but they continue to push for the return of their loved ones. With the clock ticking, the world is watching to see if an agreement can be reached before the political winds change.
The struggle to bring these Americans home from Afghanistan is far from over, and it’s a stark reminder of the ongoing complexities of international negotiations and human rights.
