The Wall Street Journal's editorial board is urging the Biden administration to adopt a more forceful approach towards countries that hold American citizens hostage, in the wake of reporter Evan Gershkovich's release from Russia.
**Paragraph 1:** The Wall Street Journal's editorial board has released a strongly worded statement demanding a more assertive US policy stance against hostage-taking by foreign regimes. This call comes in the wake of the release of its reporter, Evan Gershkovich, from Russian detention.
**Paragraph 2:** In an editorial published on Thursday, the board expressed relief and gratitude for Gershkovich's release, but emphasized that it underscores an "ugly truth": Russia and other "thuggish regimes" continue to take American citizens hostage because it works.
Wall Street Journal Demands Assertive US Policy Against Hostage-Taking
**Paragraph 3:** The board argues that Putin has faced no real consequences for imprisoning Gershkovich, beyond negative publicity, which he has largely ignored. Furthermore, the Kremlin has successfully secured the release of its spies and assassins through these tactics.
**Paragraph 4:** The paper notes that this poses a difficult dilemma for US policymakers. Once a hostage is taken, it becomes challenging for the president to ignore their fate. However, the board contends that a better approach would be to deter hostage-taking by demonstrating that imprisoned Americans will come with a price.
Wall Street Journal Demands Assertive US Policy Against Hostage-Taking
**Paragraph 5:** The board questions the Biden administration's decision not to arrest or expel Russian citizens in response to Gershkovich's detention. They believe that such actions would have sent a clear message that hostage-taking is unacceptable.
**Paragraph 6:** The editorial board also expresses concern that the perceived weakness of the US on the global stage has negative consequences for press freedom and the safety of Americans abroad. They warn that without significant changes, more Americans will likely be taken hostage in the future.
Wall Street Journal Demands Assertive US Policy Against Hostage-Taking
**Paragraph 7:** The editorial concludes by urging leaders to carefully consider how to prevent future hostage situations and protect innocent Americans. While they celebrate Gershkovich's release, they emphasize that the government has a responsibility to find effective ways to curb this dangerous practice.
**Paragraph 8:** Gershkovich and fellow American Paul Whelan were released in a massive prisoner swap involving the US and Russia. The exchange also involved the release of two other individuals: Alsu Kurmasheva, an American citizen, and Vladimir Kara-Murza, a green card holder.
**Paragraph 9:** Gershkovich's arrest and imprisonment in Russia sparked outrage among the journalism community and the US government. The charges against him were widely condemned as absurd, and he was declared "wrongfully detained" by the Biden administration.
**Paragraph 10:** The last prisoner swap between the US and Russia occurred in December 2022, when basketball player Brittney Griner was released in exchange for arms dealer Viktor Bout. Griner's case was also seen as an example of Russia using an American citizen as a bargaining chip.
