{"id":2393192,"date":"2025-01-21T11:45:02","date_gmt":"2025-01-21T16:45:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/taliban-exchanges-ryan-corbett-and-one-other-us-citizen-for-afghan-drug-trafficker-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2025-01-21T11:46:35","modified_gmt":"2025-01-21T16:46:35","slug":"taliban-exchanges-ryan-corbett-and-one-other-us-citizen-for-afghan-drug-trafficker-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/taliban-exchanges-ryan-corbett-and-one-other-us-citizen-for-afghan-drug-trafficker-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Taliban exchanges Ryan Corbett and one other US citizen for Afghan drug trafficker &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">32<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Ftaliban-exchanges-ryan-corbett-and-one-other-us-citizen-for-afghan-drug-trafficker-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2393192&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The article\u2063 discusses the recent exchange of\u200c two American citizens, including Ryan corbett, who were\u200c held\u2064 captive by\u200d the Taliban for several years. They were\u2062 released as part of a deal\u200d that\u2064 involved an afghan drug\u200d trafficker. The \u2064<a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/theyre-coming-for-your-favorite-podcasts\/\" title=\"They\u2019re Coming For Your Favorite Podcasts\">article sheds light<\/a> on the \u200bcircumstances surrounding their captivity and outlines \u200cthe family\u2019s\u2062 reactions to the news of their \u200crelease. \u2062The recent release of two American citizens, including \u2062Ryan Corbett, who were held captive by the Taliban for several years, marks a significant development in the\u2063 <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\">ongoing complexities surrounding<\/a> U.S.-Taliban relations. Their release was made possible through \u2063a negotiated deal that involved the exchange for an Afghan drug trafficker, highlighting the intricate and often\u200d controversial nature of diplomatic \u2062negotiations wiht hostile entities.<\/p>\n<p>Corbett and the other American were\u200c reportedly taken captive during a time of heightened conflict, facing harsh \u2064conditions throughout\u2062 their \u2062ordeal. The circumstances leading to their captivity have\u200d raised concerns about the\u200d safety of Americans abroad in regions controlled by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/exclusive-uk-govt-not-in-public-interest-to-disclose-how-many-afghan-evacuees-are-ex-deportees-or-on-watch-lists\/\" title=\"EXCLUSIVE \u2013 UK Govt: \u2018Not In Public Interest\u2019 to Disclose How Many Afghan Evacuees Are Ex-Deportees or on Watch Lists\">hostile groups<\/a>. As\u200b details surrounding their\u2064 release emerged, the \u2064families of both captives \u2063expressed profound relief and gratitude, emphasizing the \u200cemotional toll of their loved ones&#8217; prolonged absence.<\/p>\n<p>The families made \u200dstatements \u2062celebrating \u200dthe news, describing the weeks leading up to their release as a time\u2063 filled with uncertainty \u2062and hope. Their reactions underscore the\u2063 human aspect of such geopolitical issues, reminding the public of the \u2062personal\u2062 struggles faced by families \u2062of captives.<\/p>\n<p>This exchange, involving an Afghan drug trafficker, also opens \u200cup discussions\u2064 about the\u2062 ethics of negotiating with the Taliban and the implications such deals have on \u2064efforts to \u200ccombat drug trafficking\u200d and terrorism.\u2064 as the political landscape continues\u2063 to evolve, the prosperous negotiation for Corbett and his\u200c fellow American&#8217;s\u200b freedom may have lasting effects\u2063 on future engagements with the Taliban and the \u200bbroader region.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Taliban exchange Ryan Corbett and one other US citizen for Afghan drug trafficker<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_1813215\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>Two U.S. citizens held for years by the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/taliban\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Taliban<\/a> have been released from imprisonment in exchange for an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/afghanistan\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Afghan drug trafficker<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>The family of Ryan Corbett, a U.S. citizen who was kidnapped by the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/terrorism\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">terrorist government<\/a> in August 2022, confirmed he was one of the exchanged prisoners.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Today, our hearts are filled with overwhelming gratitude and praise to God for sustaining Ryan&rsquo;s life and bringing him back home after what has been the most challenging and uncertain 894 days of our lives,&rdquo; the Corbett family said in a statement on his release.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">This family photo shows Ryan Corbett holding rabbits with his daughter Miriam and son Caleb in Kabul, Afghanistan, in 2020. (Anna Corbett via AP)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Corbett and his family had lived in Afghanistan leading up to the botched withdrawal of U.S. forces in 2021, during which they evacuated. He was subsequently arrested in 2022 after returning to the country on a business trip.<\/p>\n<p>The family thanked President <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Donald Trump<\/a> and former President Joe Biden, as well as members of both administrations, for helping secure the deal. They additionally praised the Qatari government for its role in mediation.<\/p>\n<p>U.S. officials who remain unidentified reportedly told CNN and the <em>New York Times<\/em> that the second person rescued from Taliban prison was a man named William Wallace McKenty. No further details about McKenty have been released.<\/p>\n<p>In return for Corbett and McKenty, the United States is releasing Khan Mohammed, an Afghan national who received two life sentences in 2008 after being captured in Nangarhar province.<\/p>\n<p>A federal jury found him guilty of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/drugs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">narcoterrorism<\/a> due to his work with terrorist-affiliated opium and heroin producers to export their narcotics into the U.S.<\/p>\n<p>The Corbett family tempered their joy with the somber acknowledgment that two other high-profile U.S. citizens detained by the Taliban were not included in the deal.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;While we begin the healing process with Ryan by our side, we remain mindful of the many families who are still waiting for their loved ones to return, including the families of George Glezmann and Mahmoud Habibi,&rdquo; they said.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;It was our hope that Ryan, George and Mahmoud would be returned to their families together, and we cannot imagine the pain that our good fortune will bring them. We recognize the immense privilege of our family&rsquo;s reunion today, and pledge to keep praying &mdash; and fighting &mdash; for George and Mahmoud&rsquo;s swift release,&rdquo; the statement continued.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Glezmann was abducted by Taliban authorities in December 2022 while legally traveling through Afghanistan on a five-day trip. <\/p>\n<p>Habibi, an Afghan American businessman, was kidnapped in Kabul in August 2022 alongside 29 other employees of the Asia Consultancy Group. While his coworkers have been released, Habibi&rsquo;s whereabouts and health status are unknown.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_1813215\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"1813215\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Taliban frees Ryan Corbett, another US citizen, for drug trafficker<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3468,"featured_media":2393193,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/AP25021222345652.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[48929,37065,48927,3764,48928],"class_list":["post-2393192","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-afghan-drug-trafficker","tag-prisoner-exchange","tag-ryan-corbett","tag-taliban","tag-us-citizen"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/AP25021222345652.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2393192","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3468"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2393192"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2393192\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2393196,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2393192\/revisions\/2393196"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2393193"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2393192"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2393192"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2393192"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}