Biden Expresses Commitment To Finding Austin Tice

President Joe Biden has expressed a continued commitment by the U.S. to find and retrieve the missing journalist Austin Tice’s return from Syria, but questions linger about the path forward.

At a Glance

President Joe Biden reaffirms the U.S. government’s belief that journalist Austin Tice is alive in Syria and can be found.
Tice has been missing since August 2012, last seen near Damascus.
The U.S. government lacks direct evidence of Tice’s current status.
Tice’s family is still advocating for the location and return of the missing journalist.

Biden’s Renewed Commitment

President Joe Biden has reaffirmed the U.S. government’s commitment to finding and freeing Austin Tice, an American journalist who has been missing in Syria since 2012. Tice’s family and supporters have been advocating for his safe return for over a decade.

Biden’s belief in Tice’s survival is rooted in intelligence assessments, though he acknowledges the lack of concrete evidence. “We believe he’s alive. We think we can get him back but we have no direct evidence of that yet. And Assad should be held accountable,” Biden stated, emphasizing the administration’s commitment to the cause and referencing Bashar Assad, whose government in Syria just collapsed.

The Tice Family’s Perspective

Tice’s family claims to have recent evidence suggesting Tice is still alive, adding weight to their calls for increased efforts to bring him home. His mother said at a recent news conference that information from a “significant source” indicated that he was alive and being cared for.

The US has renewed its efforts to locate missing journalist Austin Tice in Syria after the toppling of President Bashar al-Assad https://t.co/jZwweCpl0b pic.twitter.com/rkzMNhYjls

— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) December 9, 2024

Debra Tice, Austin’s mother, has been particularly vocal about her son’s case. She urges people in Syria to help direct Austin to his family when he is found, demonstrating the family’s unwavering belief in his eventual return. The Tice family’s recent meetings with officials at the State Department and the White House underscore the ongoing diplomatic efforts to resolve this long-standing case.

The Geopolitical Context

President Biden’s comments on Tice’s case are set against a complex geopolitical backdrop. The President described the fall of the Assad government as a “fundamental act of justice,” linking the journalist’s fate to broader regional dynamics. Biden pointed out that Assad’s allies have been weakened by various factors, including the Russia-Ukraine war and conflicts involving Israel, Hezbollah, and Hamas.

The President also highlighted the impact of U.S. support in Ukraine, which has significantly damaged Russian forces, potentially limiting their ability to support Assad. However, Biden cautioned about the complexities of regime change, noting, “Some of the rebel groups that took down Assad have their own grim record of terrorism and human rights abuses.”

The Path Forward

As the search for Austin Tice continues, the U.S. government maintains its stance that he is alive, despite the absence of new evidence. The administration’s approach involves engaging with all Syrian groups to ensure stability and transition away from the Assad regime. This strategy reflects the complex nature of the situation and the need for careful diplomatic maneuvering.