After enduring over a year of captivity by the Taliban in Afghanistan, the wife of American hostage Ryan Corbett is making a heartfelt plea for his release. Corbett, along with at least two other American hostages, has been held by the Taliban since their family was forced to evacuate Afghanistan when it fell under Taliban control. However, Corbett made the decision to return for a business trip in August 2022, only to be wrongfully detained by the Taliban, according to the State Department.
For months, Corbett's wife, Anna, has been anxiously waiting for news of efforts to bring her husband home. Frustrated by the lack of progress, Anna has taken matters into her own hands, personally approaching lawmakers in a bid to expedite her husband's release. Ryan has been subjected to the inhumane conditions of solitary confinement, enduring weeks on end without human contact. Recent reports have indicated that he has been experiencing fainting spells and seizures, causing great concern for his deteriorating health. In addition, his captors continuously threaten him with physical harm, while reminding him relentlessly that he has been forgotten by his own country.
Anna, determined to be her husband's voice in this crucial time, has decided to break the silence her family had maintained regarding Ryan's captivity for his safety. Her children even resorted to lying to their friends about their father's whereabouts. The turning point came when Anna became increasingly worried about Ryan's health after hearing accounts from others who had been detained with him. The desperation to bring him home alive led her to utilize her own voice and raise awareness about Ryan's plight.
Despite the risks associated with communicating with someone in Taliban custody, Anna had the opportunity to speak with her husband a couple of weeks ago. However, due to the tense circumstances, it was difficult to determine Ryan's true condition. He did reveal alarming symptoms, such as ringing in his ears and declining vision, which were particularly distressing given that he was in perfect health when he left the United States. Reports of him fainting and struggling to cope only heightened Anna's concern for his well-being. Nevertheless, he found solace in hearing about their children's welfare and was uplifted by Anna's unwavering dedication to securing his release.
Anna has been in contact with U.S. officials, specifically the National Security Council, as she seeks updates on Ryan's situation. She recently had a discussion with Deputy National Security Advisor John Feiner and hopes to meet with National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan in January. While acknowledging the multiple priorities faced by the U.S. government, Anna passionately emphasizes that bringing Ryan home alive should be a top priority. Despite the ongoing negotiations, Ryan has not been seen in almost a year, leaving Anna deeply worried and pushing the government to prioritize his safe return.
The plight of Ryan Corbett and other Americans wrongfully detained is a challenging situation that demands urgent attention. In her quest to bring her husband back home, Anna remains steadfast in her fight for justice. With the understanding that delicate diplomacy is at play, Anna hopes that her efforts, backed by the commitment of President Biden, Secretary Blinken, and numerous officials, will lead to a swift resolution and reunite her family once more.
