U.S. Officials Sought Russian Assistance to Free Journalist Austin Tice During President Trump's First Term
During President Trump's first term, U.S. officials sought assistance from Russia to secure the release of journalist Austin Tice, who disappeared in Syria in 2012. Robert O'Brien, a former hostage negotiator and later national security adviser, reached out to Nikolai Patrushev, the Russian national security adviser, to leverage Russia's influence over Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad. Despite Russia's agreement to help, efforts to locate Tice were unsuccessful. Tice, a Marine veteran and freelance journalist, was last seen in a video in 2012, blindfolded and held captive. Various international figures, including actor Sean Penn and the Vatican, also attempted to mediate with the Assad regime, but no substantial progress was made. The CIA later assessed, with low confidence, that Tice was likely deceased. 
