U.S. sought Russian help to free Austin Tice in Trump’s first term, ex-envoy says
According to a new book by former hostage negotiator Robert O’Brien, the first Trump administration asked Russia to use its influence with Syrian leadership to help secure the release of journalist Austin Tice, who disappeared in Syria in 2012. O’Brien wrote that he requested assistance from Russian national security adviser Nikolai Patrushev, who agreed, but even Russia’s efforts hit a dead end. The book also details attempts by Kash Patel, actor Sean Penn, the Vatican, Jordan’s king, and others to locate Tice, including a direct meeting between two U.S. officials and Syrian intelligence chief Ali Mamlouk in Damascus in fall 2020. Then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo opposed the meeting over kidnapping concerns and arranged drone and satellite surveillance for protection. O’Brien also described a 2019 encounter in which a Lebanese businessman claimed he had seen Tice in Syria. The CIA changed its assessment in 2024 to indicate, with low confidence, that Tice was likely dead. This information comes from a single source, a CBS News report based on an advance copy of O’Brien’s book.
What’s reported
Robert O’Brien, a former hostage negotiator and later national security adviser under President Trump, wrote a book detailing efforts to free Austin Tice.
O’Brien asked Russian official Nikolai Patrushev for help securing Tice’s release, and Patrushev agreed.
Despite Russia’s involvement, “even Assad’s allies ran into a brick wall,” according to O’Brien’s book.
In fall 2020, O’Brien sent Kash Patel and Roger Carstens to Syria to meet with intelligence chief Ali Mamlouk; the meeting did not secure Tice’s release.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arranged armed drones and overhead satellites to monitor and protect the U.S. officials in Damascus.
Actor Sean Penn connected O’Brien with a Lebanese businessman who claimed to have seen Tice in Syria, but no connections materialized.
O’Brien spoke with Jordan’s King Abdullah II at a counterterrorism conference; the king promised to task his security services but noted no proof-of-life had been received for years.
The Vatican hosted a dinner where O’Brien met a businessman who later relayed that Assad said the U.S. should not be so secretive in its approach.
The CIA changed its assessment of Tice’s case in 2024, indicating with low confidence that he is likely dead.
Open questions
Whether Russia ever followed through on its agreement to help.
Whether the Lebanese businessman’s claim of seeing Tice was credible.
What specific leads, if any, resulted from Jordan’s security services.
The exact reason for the CIA’s change in assessment.
Key figures
Robert O’Brien: former hostage negotiator and national security adviser under President Trump, author of the book.
Nikolai Patrushev: Russian national security adviser.
Austin Tice: freelance journalist missing since 2012.
Kash Patel: former National Security Council senior director for counterterrorism.
Roger Carstens: special presidential envoy for hostage affairs.
Mike Pompeo: former Secretary of State.
Bashar al-Assad: Syrian leader.
Ali Mamlouk: Syrian intelligence chief.
Sean Penn: actor.
Elias Kwaham: Lebanese businessman.
King Abdullah II: monarch of Jordan.
Pope Francis / Vatican representatives (not named in article).
Sources: CBS News
