Up First from NPR · Podcast summary
An American journalist missing in Syria: what happened?
This episode delves into the disappearance of American journalist Austin Tice in Syria, a case that has remained unsolved for over a decade. It features investigative journalists Josh Baker and Sarah Obeidat as they follow Tice's trail, uncovering a complex story of power struggles, secret documents, and the relentless efforts of his mother, Debra Tice, to bring him home.
Listen on the show ↗Key takeaways
- 🕵️Austin Tice's disappearance is considered one of the biggest unsolved missing person cases of our time, despite extensive efforts from his family and world leaders.00:27
- 🗣️Debra Tice, Austin's mother, has become a powerful advocate for his return, addressing audiences and directly speaking to her son through media.02:24
- 📞Austin Tice's last known contact was a FaceTime call with his mother on his 31st birthday, August 11, 2012, while he was in Damascus.07:31
- 🏕️Debra Tice learned of Austin's disappearance a week after it happened, while on a camping trip with no phone signal.08:11
- 📻Austin's interview aired on the radio after his disappearance, where he discussed the Syrian government's tactic of pressuring people by targeting their families.08:54
- 📍A Syrian contact named Salam, a defector from the Syrian army, provided information suggesting Austin Tice might still be alive and held at Branch 235, known as Palestine Branch.15:55
Chapters
- 0:00Introduction: The Unsolved Disappearance of Austin Tice
- 0:23Debra Tice's Relentless Advocacy
- 3:53Austin's Dream and the Last Contact
- 13:25The Devastating News
- 17:05Josh Baker's Investigation Begins
- 20:47Meeting Salam: New Information Emerges
- 24:55A Glimmer of Hope: Austin is Alive
- 32:01The Fall of the Assad Regime
- 40:44Entering Post-Assad Syria
- 47:11The Purple Folder: A List of Locations
The digest
For over a decade, the disappearance of American journalist Austin Tice in Syria has been one of the biggest unsolved missing person cases of our time. Despite the persistent efforts of his family and global leaders, little is known about what happened to him or his whereabouts. This podcast episode, the first in a new series from NPR's Embedded, follows BBC investigative journalists Josh Baker and Sarah Obeidat as they embark on a years-long journey to uncover the truth.
The Unsolved Mystery of Austin Tice
Austin Tice vanished in Syria 12 years ago, a country then under the regime of Bashar al-Assad, which held the highest number of journalists hostage, according to Reporters Without Borders. His case has since become a symbol of the dangers faced by journalists in conflict zones and a testament to the enduring love and determination of his family. Josh Baker and Sarah Obeidat have been meticulously following Tice's trail, uncovering a complicated story involving power struggles, secret documents, and individuals who wish for this story to remain untold. Many of their discoveries, revealed for the first time in this series, paint a clearer picture of how Tice disappeared and where he might have been taken. Throughout their investigation, Josh and his team have maintained regular contact with the Tice family, keeping them informed of every development.
Keep reading in The Digest
The full 7-minute article, 6 more sections, and every new episode from Up First from NPR and the creators you follow.
- Debra Tice's Unwavering Fight
- A Journalist's Dream and a Mother's Plea
- Uncovering New Leads in Southern England
- A Glimmer of Hope: Austin is Alive
- The Fall of the Regime and a Race Against Time
- Into the Chaos of Post-Assad Syria
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