1: ROGGIO Bill Roggio, associated with the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, discussed the recent news regarding a hostage situation involving the Taliban. Key details from Roggio's segment: Hostage Release: Secretary of State Rubio reportedly won

The John Batchelor Show

ROGGIO Bill Roggio, associated with the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, discussed the recent news regarding a hostage situation involving the Taliban.
Key details from Roggio's segment:

• Hostage Release: Secretary of State Rubio reportedly won the release of an American citizen who had been held hostage by the Taliban in Kabul for nine months. The citizen was being held "illicitly and outrageously."
• The Cost (The "Twist"): Roggio noted that the crucial detail—the "twist"—is what the US may have given up in order to secure the return of its own citizen.
• The Likely Swap Target: It is very likely that the exchange involves an individual held at Guantanamo named Muhammad Rahim, an al-Qaeda operative.
• Significance of Muhammad Rahim: According to US intelligence:
  • Rahim was close to Osama bin Laden.
  • He helped bin Laden escape from Tora Bora.
  • He served as Mullah Omar's driver. Mullah Omar was identified as the founder and former head of the Taliban.
• US Military Stance and Prediction: Muhammad Rahim is an individual whom the US military does not want to release. Despite this, Roggio predicted it is very likely that Rahim will be "walking free sometime soon."
• Negotiation Dynamics: Roggio concluded that in these types of negotiations, there is "always a cost," and the Taliban usually wins.