Having a son or daughter, husband or mother taken hostage or detained in a foreign land is one of the most frightening experiences imaginable. On the fourth anniversary of the implementation of reforms to U.S. hostage policy, The James W. Foley Legacy Foundation in partnership with New America present the findings of a new study, “Bringing American Home,” the first non-governmental review of U.S. hostage and detainee policy. The report is based on interviews with 27 American hostages, detainees, family members, and representatives and provides a unique insight into the experiences of Americans held abroad and their families.

To discuss the report and efforts to bring Americans held abroad home, New America welcomes Diane Foley, President and Founder of the James W. Foley Legacy Foundation; Cynthia Loertscher, the report’s author and primary researcher; Luke Hartig, a New America Fellow and former Senior Director for Counterterrorism at the National Security Council; and Rob Saale, former Director of the Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell and founder and CEO of Star Consulting and Investigations LLC.

Lunch will be provided.

Follow the conversation online using #BringingAmericansHome and following @NewAmericaISP and @JamesFoleyFund.

Participants:

Diane Foley, @JamesFoleyFund
President and Founder, James W. Foley Legacy Foundation

Cynthia Loertscher
Author and Primary Researcher, Bringing Americans Home

Luke Hartig, @LukeHartig
Fellow, New America International Security Program
Former Senior Director for Counterterrorism, National Security Council

Rob Saale, @robsaale
Former Director, Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell
Founder and CEO of Star Consulting and Investigations LLC

Moderator:

Peter Bergen, @peterbergencnn
Vice President, New America