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

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.

Following the publication of its findings in June 2025 and, the commission is sharing its recommendations with policy audiences, former hostages and their families, communities vulnerable to hostage taking and wrongful detention, and allied 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, The Atlantic
  • 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, James W. Foley Legacy Foundation (Former)
  • Sarah (Levinson) Moriarty, R.A Levinson & Associates and 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, J2 Strategies LLC
  • Nizar Zakka, Hostage Aid Worldwide

Contact Information

Featured Analysis

Photo: Design Pics/Chris Knorr/GETTY IMAGES

Photo: Design Pics/Chris Knorr/GETTY IMAGES

Combating State Hostage Taking and Wrongful Detention

The CSIS Commission on Hostage Taking and Wrongful Detention examines U.S. efforts to counter the detention of Americans abroad and proposes new policy tools to strengthen deterrence, improve international coordination, and bring Americans home.

Report by Jon B. Alterman and Jason Rezaian — June 4, 2025

Featured Press Release

Bipartisan Commission on Hostage Taking and Wrongful Detention

The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) today launched the bipartisan CSIS Commission on Hostage Taking and Wrongful Detention  to explore responses to the growing phenomenon of hostage taking.

See full press release

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Responsible Reporting on Hostage Cases

The CSIS Commission on Hostage Taking and Wrongful Detention and the National Press Club’s Press Freedom Center hosted a training for journalists on covering hostage cases, exploring best practices, coordination, and the human impact of hostage taking.

Event — October 14, 2025

Combating State Hostage Taking and Wrongful Detention

The CSIS Hostage Commission launches its findings on the rise of hostage-taking and wrongful detention. Join executive directors Jon Alterman and Jason Rezaian, along with key stakeholders, to discuss key recommendations and the path forward.

Event — June 4, 2025

Combating State Hostage Taking and Wrongful Detention

The CSIS Commission on Hostage Taking and Wrongful Detention examines U.S. efforts to counter the detention of Americans abroad and proposes new policy tools to strengthen deterrence, improve international coordination, and bring Americans home.

Report by Jon B. Alterman and Jason Rezaian — June 4, 2025

Combating State Hostage Taking and Wrongful Detention

The CSIS Hostage Commission launches its findings on the rise of hostage-taking and wrongful detention. Join executive directors Jon Alterman and Jason Rezaian, along with key stakeholders, to discuss key recommendations and the path forward.

Transcript — June 4, 2025

When States Take Hostages: Responding to Iran and Other Perpetrators

On Thursday, October 24, Stanford’s Program in International and Comparative Law, Stanford’s Moghadam Program in Iranian Studies, and CSIS hosted a program investigating the legal and policy challenges associated with the rise of state hostage taking.

Event — October 24, 2024

Coming Home after Being a Hostage Abroad

In the aftermath of the prisoner swap with Russia, returned Americans face many barriers to reintegration. Jason Rezaian explains how the United States can move forward with bipartisan policies to ease their burden.

Commentary by Jason Rezaian — August 2, 2024

'Across the Aisle' on Hostage Diplomacy

Amb. Robert O'Brien and Jason Rezaian, co-chairs of the CSIS Commission on Hostage Taking and Wrongful Detention, join Columbia University SIPA to discuss the challenges of hostage diplomacy.

Event — April 29, 2024