An American journalist missing in Syria: what happened?

Under the regime of Bashar al-Assad, Syria had the highest number of journalists held hostage of any country, according to Reporters Without Borders. One of the most famous is American journalist Austin Tice, who disappeared in Syria fourteen years ago. His case is considered one of the biggest unsolved missing person cases of our time. BBC investigative journalists Josh Baker and Sarah Obedot have spent years following his trail, and their investigation—now a series from NPR's Embedded podcast—has uncovered a complicated story of power struggles, secret documents, and people who do not want this story told.

A mother's campaign and a journalist's trail

The story begins in August 2024, when Baker meets Deborah Tice, Austin's mother, at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. She is small and quietly spoken, but exudes the strength that comes from years of refusing to give up. At the gathering are FBI agents, intelligence community members, and government officials. Recorded messages play from Donald Trump's former National Security Advisor and the head of McClatchy, one of the news organizations Austin worked for. Deborah steps to the podium and speaks directly to her son: "Stay strong, Austin. Keep the faith. You will walk free again. I love you."