CSIS Commission on Hostage Taking and Wrongful Detention
The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Commission on Hostage Taking and Wrongful Detention explores responses to the growing phenomenon of hostage taking. Over the last year, the bipartisan commission has met with the goals of proposing new U.S. government policies intended to:
- Deter further hostage taking;
- Improve the way the U.S. government organizes itself to address different aspects of this issue set;
- Strengthen international cooperation;
- Further improve the processes of engaging with families of those who have been taken.
Former national security adviser to President Trump Robert O’Brien co-chairs the commission alongside Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), who serves in an honorary capacity. The Washington Post’s Jason Rezaian, who was held hostage in Iran when serving as Tehran bureau chief, helps direct the effort, in cooperation with Dr. Jon B. Alterman, a senior vice president and the Zbigniew Brzezinski Chair in Global Security and Geostrategy at CSIS. The commission includes returned hostages, hostage family members, former law enforcement and national security officials, diplomats, academics, and journalists, all of whom have a long track record working on hostage and detainee issues. The commission and its leadership work closely with senior levels of the U.S. government, Congress, and foreign diplomats.
The commission will publish its findings in early 2025. As the new presidential administration takes office, the commission will publicize its findings among policy audiences, former hostages, their families, communities that are vulnerable to hostage taking and wrongful detention, and friendly governments.
Co-Chairs
- Amb. Robert O’Brien, Larson LLP
- Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (Honorary), D-New Hampshire
Executive Directors
- Jon Alterman, CSIS
- Jason Rezaian, Washington Post/CSIS
Commissioners
- David Bradley, National Journal Group
- Mickey Bergman, Global Reach
- Col. (Ret.) Chris Costa, International Spy Museum
- Amb. Jeffrey Feltman, Brookings Institution and UN Foundation
- Prof. Danielle Gilbert, Northwestern University
- Emily Horne, Allegro Public Affairs
- Eric Lebson, Global Reach
- Cynthia Loertscher, Miami University
- Sarah (Levinson) Moriarty, New America
- Jason Poblete, Poblete Tamargo LLP
- Tim Rieser, U.S. Senate staff
- David Rohde, NBC News
- Joel Simon, Journalism Protection Initiative, Newmark School
- Jonathan Wackrow, Teneo
- Nizar Zakka, Hostage Aid Worldwide
Contact Information
- Asher Grant-Sasson
- Program Coordinator, Middle East Program
- agrantsasson@CSIS.org
Featured Press Release
Featured Analysis

Photo: ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP via Getty Images
Evan Gershkovich, Paul Whelan, and Alsu Kurmasheva Are Back in the United States
Commentary by Danielle Gilbert — August 6, 2024

Free Evan, Prosecute the Hostage Takers
Commentary by Joel Simon — October 17, 2023

Why the Gaza Hostage Crisis Is Different
Commentary by Danielle Gilbert — October 17, 2023

Biden’s Hostage Diplomacy, Explained
Commentary by Danielle Gilbert — September 22, 2023

Can Qatar Navigate Fraught Hostage Negotiations with Hamas?
Commentary by Christopher P. Costa — December 8, 2023
In the News 12 of 16 results
What does the future of hostage diplomacy look like?
Jason Rezaian, Dani Gilbert, and Mickey Bergman in NPR — August 10, 2024
Biden prisoner exchange ignites debate on ‘steep price’ to free Americans
Jason Rezaian in The Hill — August 3, 2024
From the Cold War to Evan Gershkovich: a new twist in U.S.-Russia prisoner swaps
Chris Costa in NPR — August 1, 2024
Negotiator discusses pathways of gaining release of wrongfully detained Americans
Mickey Bergman in Voice of America — June 6, 2024
US considering tactical recovery plans for hostages in Gaza
Dani Gilbert in ABC — November 18, 2023
This Era of Hostage Diplomacy Requires New Answers
Dani Gilbert in The Chicago Council on Global Affairs — November 9, 2023
The Daughter Of An Israeli Woman Kidnapped By Hamas Has 3 Messages For The World
Dani Gilbert in HuffPost — October 12, 2023
‘Israel Is Going to Have to Make Some Tough Calls’: There’s No Clear Way Out of the Hostage Crisis
Chris Costa in Politico — October 11, 2023
Hamas' hostages: What could happen next?
Jon B. Alterman in ABC — October 10, 2023
The Prisoner’s Dilemma: Hostage Diplomacy 101
Dani Gilbert in Modern War Institute — October 6, 2023
The United States is morally obliged to secure the release of hostages
Sarah (Levinson) Moriarty in The Washington Post — September 25, 2023
Hostage deals pose conundrum for White House
Jon B. Alterman in The Hill — September 24, 2023
All CSIS Commission on Hostage Taking and Wrongful Detention Content
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When States Take Hostages: Responding to Iran and Other Perpetrators
Event — October 24, 2024
State Perspectives on Iranian Hostage Taking
Transcript — October 24, 2024
Hostage Taking and International Law: New Thinking
Transcript — October 24, 2024
Evan Gershkovich, Paul Whelan, and Alsu Kurmasheva Are Back in the United States
Commentary by Danielle Gilbert — August 6, 2024
Coming Home after Being a Hostage Abroad
Commentary by Jason Rezaian — August 2, 2024
'Across the Aisle' on Hostage Diplomacy
Event — April 29, 2024
Hostage Diplomacy as an International Security Threat: Strengthening our Collective Action, Deterrence and Response
Event — February 13, 2024
Hostage Diplomacy as an International Security Threat: Strengthening our Collective Action, Deterrence and Response
Transcript — February 13, 2024
Can Qatar Navigate Fraught Hostage Negotiations with Hamas?
Commentary by Christopher P. Costa — December 8, 2023
Free Evan, Prosecute the Hostage Takers
Commentary by Joel Simon — October 17, 2023