Sweetie, where should we go on vacation this year? Say, the wilds of Afghanistan look mighty fine , let's go -- you're pregnant? No problem, it'ill be fun, we can have the baby over there, in an Afghan hospital or maybe with the Taliban... Who in their right minds goes hiking in Afghanistan and then has 3 babies in captivity? There is something wrong with this story. He was married to the sister of Khadr and she is known as an unrepentant sympathizer of El Qaeda living now in that delightful fundamentalist haven of Sudan. Not saying they weren't kidnapped, but there is something fishy with this story.
12
I am happy that this family is safe but really; am I the only one who smells a rat?
8
They were reckless and we had to bail them out. Why is this front page news?
3
The hostage list is long, please also remember Warren Weinstein, abducted from Pakistan by Al Qaeda and murdered in 2015
Backpacking in a Taliban stronghold (war zone) ten years after the war started, and they did not expect any trouble? Please tell us more!
5
I am happy for both families joining together after long time,especially I am happy for kids seeing new people and countries.
I hope Pakistan stop playing these type of games anymore. They could release this family long time ago but Pakistani government was waiting for a good time to get a good amount of credit and now it was perfect time for them.
although, I dont like PAKISTANI way of thinking, I can see that they know how and when to use their cards!
2
Yes, a positive moment for our country's relationship with Pakistan, that Pakistan which harbored and protected our enemy #1 enemy Osama-bin-Laden who was living very next to the Pakistan's Military Headquarters. How we have fallen!!
3
From this article, I cannot figure out the exact timing & relationship between these two events: the capture of Mr. Boyle by Afghanistan militants in Oct. 2012 & the release of Mr. Omar Khadr, his former brother-in-law, from Guantanamo Bay in 2012. If the capture was after the release, it doesn't make sense for Boyle to go there. If the capture was before the release, then the capture will draw attention potentially for a hostage exchange.
3
There is more than meets the eye in this case.
Pakistan has a iknack of doing favorablke actions a couple of weeks before bilateral discussions with the US. Thisis no exception. ISI. Pakistan's spy agency knew all along of the whereabouts of the hostages. Taliban and Haqqani are no fools to let go of the hostages without a quid pro quo. Remember they have beheaded innocent hostages in the past.
Why the couple went backpcacking to one of the most dangerpous and hostile regions of the world needs to be investigated. To me it appears there are motives that are more than pure adventure.
Trump claiming credit for something that Obama "failed at" is the ultimate travesty. Obama got rid of Osama bin Laden, enough said.
8
"Mr. Boyle had a deep interest in the subject of terrorism and was previously married to the oldest sister of Omar Khadr, a former detainee at the wartime prison at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba. "
This is suspicious. I'm with the folks who wondered why Mr. Boyle and his pregnant wife would go hiking in Afghanistan. Were they actually seeking to meet up/ join terrorist groups and then the rug was pulled out from under then as the terrorist groups realized they would gain more from having them as a bargaining chip?
Really, for areas of the world where the State Department has high alerts warning travellers not to go there (barring say the military or diplomats), the corollary should be that if you go and get captured, we're not going to intervene in your case. It's too much time, energy spent on individuals' stupid actions and jeopardizes whatever diplomatic plans are in place already. We or allied governments have to release dangerous people potentially to bargain.
27
Well said, I was thinking the same thing.
4
If you do only a little digging, you'll find that this story goes far deeper than a case of an innocent but naive couple that gets kidnapped.
The husband married the radical activist sister of one Omar Khadr, a Canadian national captured on the battlefield in Afghanistan and held at Gitmo for 10 years, I believe. He was 15 at the time of his capture so debating the merits of his detention is another conversation. And I think any family would be concerned if their sibling or child was in prison. But Zaynab Khadr, the sister and wife of Mr. Boyle, was definitely more than concerned--she was a virulently anti-Canada/anti-US radical.
But the next odd piece is that Zaynab had been married twice before. And she claimed Osama bin Laden attended one of those (probably not true). But divorce in general is rare in fundamentalist Islam as is marriage to a non-Muslim. But then we hear that Boyle may have converted. Did he convert his second wife, Caitlan Coleman?
And now there are stories that Mr. Boyle refuses to get on a U.S. aircraft to fly him and his family back to Canada.
Very odd. That their children are now safe is a blessing, but its quite possible that the parents are, at a minimum, brainwashed and, possibly, active supporters of the Taliban/Haqqani Network/al-Qaida. I hope Canadian social services (I believe they're returning to Canada, not USA) take a good look at their kids and have the guts to remove them if deemed necessary.
27
While I try to feel compassion for people who find themselves in these situations,these stories ALSO frustrate and irk me.
Time and time again, caution and warnings have been issued when traveling to some of these unstable places and considering already tense relations with the US, you still find people who want to test boundaries and think they maybe the rarely lucky few who can get away with it.
They don't take into account the repercussions of what their actions--the number of people who'll be caught in the crossfire or endangered to get them out, escalation of already tumultuous relations with the US,now even more iffy with an unhinged President who is constantly inflaming situations and not forgetting the concern within their families. List goes on.
Some like them or Laura Ling maybe lucky to still be around and but others aren't and meet an unfortunate fate like Otto did. People will just never learn.
8
There is way more to this story than we'll ever know. Boyle sought out one of Canada's most notorious families with standing ties to the Taliban and ended up with marrying the sister of Omar Khadr. At the time of their marriage, the sister was saying all sort of very offensive things about the Canadian government and defending the Taliban. This guy, Boyle sought the spotlight. He wanted to become involved in some way with the Taliban. No idea what would prompt Coleman to go to Afghanistan, but clearly Boyle wanted to become involved in some way.
http://web.archive.org/web/20161222161734/http://globalnews.ca/news/1374...
38
I may have missed it in your link, but how did Boyle end up marrying Caitlan Coleman if he was married to Omar Khadr's sister? Did they divorce? Did he have two wives? (But that's not legal, of course.)
You're quite right that it's an odd story and there has to be more to it.
7
I read that he and Khadr's sister were only married a year -- what is that??? When divorced is frowned on - the sister is on her 4th husband. All this is strange, the previous marriage, the two so-called naive hippies ending up in the wilds of Afghanistan, apparently in one of the unsafest zones in an already unsafe country, hiking, (they sure didn't look like the hiking type) pregnant, something doesn't add up, sorry
Simple question not many have commented on - were any money or favors etc. exchanged? Is Trump keeping it hush?
The Right went BONKERS over Obamas handling of getting hostages released from Iran (supposed money exchanged and story overblown), Bowe Bergdahl (5 Guantanamo Captives) etc.
Now that the shoe is on the other foot Trump thinks it's a positive thing to work with other nations?
14
Humm sounds like possibly Stockholm syndrome or Manchurian candidate ? I would think she would have tossed off the black robe now that they are free . Don't know about him , there's history there already , does not add up. He should return to Canada if he's afraid to return here. She looks totally indoctrinated , eyes cast down , dressed in the black robe , her head covered . They will have a difficult adjustment , the children will adjust faster so lets hope things work out for them.
13
If those videos were made while they were in captivity, she likely did not have a choice about what she would wear or how she would act. Is this the first time you've seen hostage videos?
4
Yes, and let's hope she doesn't have to hear people analyze her demeanor and dress.
1
@ ms , Don't think they were , he clearly stated in the one I saw aired on the news (not the internet where you most likely watch hostage videos) he was afraid to return on a military plane and I do not derive pleasure out of watching hostage videos and still say it's possibly Stockholm syndrome .
These two people brought this issue on themselves with stupidity with no reguard to any consequences. Then crying for America to save them. Lack of common sense to say the least.
42
Stupidity is the key word. In 2012 with the war swirling in Afghanistan, I would have gone 'backpacking' near Vancouver, BC.
1
Stupid is as stupid does. They need to put the kids in foster care until it can be figured out where the heads of their parents are at. Sounds to me like they could be Taliban sleepers. Normal, rational people don't do the things they've done and are still considered trustworthy.
40
She's from my hometown and was close friends with an ex-girlfriend of mine. I never knew her but her return is bringing a lot of joy and relief to the people of York County, PA.
7
I am completely baffled by this situation. Neither this or any other news piece I have seen on this couple explains the motivation to be backpacking in Afghanistan in an area known for Taliban activity. Aid workers? Military? Thrill seekers? If its the last one, why are we paying to rescue people who are just foolish. I've traveled some questionable places by many reasonable peoples' standards, and would not put myself into a situation that is so high risk.
51
Joshua Boyle, a Canadian Arabic speaker "had a deep interest in the subject of terrorism" and was once married to the sister of a former Guantanamo inmate, Omar Khadr, a Candadian citizen. Reuters news agency quoted anonymous US officials as saying that the US military had been ready to fly the family out of Pakistan. But Boyle had refused to board the plane, fearing he might face prosecution by the authorities in the US.
The rescue operation was a sign of Pakistan's willingness to share intelligence and cooperate with the US. Indeed, both sides need one another and some kind of transactional relationship remains important. But Trump went out of his way to thank Pakistan for the successful mission, drawing a direct link between his presidency and the happy outcome. The hostages were lucky, because the operation was risky and could have ended deadly.
12
This is a very odd story. The husband was married to the sister of a Canadian Guantanamo detainee. It is being reported elsewhere that the husband is now refusing to board an American military plane because he fears repercussions in the U.S. due to his past associations. It does beg the question of what Mr. Boyle and Ms. Coleman were doing in Afghanistan at the time of their capture. Strange place to be traveling, especially while pregnant.
80
Most of these comments make me so utterly sad.
Imagine living 5 years in captivity - any form of it - and holding a family together - in any form it takes - to then read what has been written below. They look better because they lost weight? (Jack in California). Words simply fail.
At this point there is enough out there to know what others (Foley, Padnos, Baurer/Fattal/Shourd etc) who were in similar situations have been through - hardly a diet plan.
I applaud the work of countless others - mothers / fathers / sisters / brothers / cousins / senators /congressmen /officials in the state department/public employees/you name it - who cared in the midnight hours about their well being and safety. This is an incredible rescue and return, and I am thankful for their efforts and such good news.
Sure, ask questions about the sensibility of being there. Sure, ask questions about costs or what was exchanged or the bigger issues of who is milking whom and what those dollars support. But don't loose a sense of compassion for what they have been through.
26
Freed from common sense in the first instance.
14
Backing packing in Yellowstone makes a lot more sense than backpacking in Wardak Province.
41
1, something fishy when read the were 'hiking in Afghanistan'
2, Pakistan is obviously playing the same game they have mastered over few decades
3, Anybody who understood this knows that Haqqani's real masters are Pakistani military and intelligence agency
4, Whenever US is unhappy with Pakistan then they will call their buddies and do something like this and US will be really happy for 1 or 2 years praising Pakistani cooperation throwing billions and after 2 yrs US will have upset again and process repeats. Its a simple and very profitable game
30
Should we work hard to repatriate foolish citizens? The Afghan Tourist Bureau always recommends that pregnant women tour Wardak Province. The US Marines favor the Chak Valley.
US citizens who have opted to visit N. Korea should have signed a rescue release. Then there are the folks in the US State Department and the Theatre Command who permitted tourists to backpack in Afghanistan. Just plain incompetent.
The Haqqani Network has long been funded by the Pakistani ISI which receives huge grants of cash from Saudi Arabian Intelligence. Members of the network then go out and kill American troops. We give billion in military aid to Pakistan. That aid constitutes welfare for the US defense industry. Makes perfect sense. And we garner zero influence over our nuclear ally which exercises marginal control over their ISI. Makes perfect sense.
So, this is not a sign of anything but our atrocious policies and the resultant absence of influence. However, we must pay tribute to Mr. Trump's vivid imagination and late night fantasies or delusions.
34
it's obvious that the release is the result of ongoing table talks between PAK and US. Trump is just trying to take credit for himself and lying to his nation that people that now PAK respects and acts according to US's wishes but in reality they US acts according PAK's wishes because Pakistan is the one who is going to provide them safe passage.
6
And now the Canadian husband won't board a US plane because.....WHY???
Right now I'd like to give them both a slap.
I hope their kids are all right both physically and mentally and grow up to be smarter and more level headed than their parents.
32
Their kids are not "all right." How could they be? And somehow a slap doesn't seem particularly constructive when aimed at people who have been held captive for five years.
Geez seriously. We should believe this is the whole of the story?
Evangelical Christian groups continue to work covertly in very dangerous places. Won*t surprise me to learn that this couple was part of one.
Like the other group of hikers just wandering mistakenly into Iran from northern Iraq--though I don't think they were trying to perhaps spread the Gospel--there*s more to it than misbegotten wanderlust.
6
He is a friend of the kadar family. The kadar father was a close friend of Osama Bin Ladan. One son killed fighting nato troops, secind son wounded and paralized. Youngest released from prison because of age. The Kandar sister and mother on CISIS watch list. Im sure the RCMP and CISIS will be talking to this gentelman if he returns to Canada.
13
Somehow I doubt and Evangelical Christian was once married to a Muslim, the sister of a suspected terrorist no less.
1
They were not evangelical Christians, that is certain. Read the other comments, e.g., from the ever insightful j. von hettlingen from Switzerland
'Joshua Boyle, a Canadian Arabic speaker "had a deep interest in the subject of terrorism" and was once married to the sister of a former Guantanamo inmate, Omar Khadr, a Canadian citizen.'
3
To answer the many questions as to Why , it says that the husbabd had a deep and self gratifying need to explore terrorism , or something . So he brought his darling pregnant wife to a war zone , women often capitulate to madness from their spouses, this is such a case . As to her being pregnant twice, one wonders who the fathers are. What a world .
20
The children look very blond.
1
Many, many men capitulate to the "madness from their spouses" daily too my dear.
Is there anyone else out there thinking that this family will become internal spies for Afghanistan, once they are returned to the States. One one hand, I cannot imagine how awful the past 5 years has been for them and yes, they were incredibly stupid/naive or whatever for camping in Afghanistan. On the other hand, after 5 years, I wonder if they have been indoctrinated so much that they are anti-American now.
6
No, there is no one else out here thinking that...
18
Absolutely no one else is thinking that. No one. Not a single soul.
No, this is real life, not a cable TV show
I share the outrage of comments below on why in the world, would they be hiking in that area.
And this Canadian dude, having married a sister of a terrorist before - and now married to this American woman - all strange.
And from comments from this woman, the children may have been born out of wedlock - fathered by the terrorists.
All strange.
I went to North Korea one time which I regretted the moment I arrived.
But I have never lost an opportunity to tell folks, "don't go."
Not worth any excitement or a bucket list.
23
I agree it is very odd to hike (do missionary work, research your ancestry, etc) in places like Afghanistan (North Korea, Iraq, etc). We really must consider a more reasonable explanation...
It is very possible these young people were doing intelligence work for the US. The would not really announce that, so they would make some feeble claim about hiking. Claim your partner is your husband. It is a mess.
7
Were they secret agents or were they being offered as bait to the militants? Who knows? it looks like the militants got tired of holding on to them while they procreated and added to the food and clothing costs. So they made a deal with the US government to make Pres Trump feel "respected." Are the Generals playing Trump? Giving him a little "treat" now and then? Or are they not all that competent themselves and just going with the flow? So many sad questions.
Hard not to be negative and cynical. Not a nice feeling frankly.
6
Reading between the lines, it sounds as if Ms. Coleman was repeatedly raped by her captors and her two youngest children are products of that rape. Very sad. I'm glad everyone is safe now and back in their respective home countries.
I do wonder if Mr. Boyle's background and interest in terrorism played into them being there, or if it was just bad judgement and they decided to hike in a known war zone. Especially bad judgement with the added layer of her being pregnant. Please, everyone, stop going to dangerous places on purpose.
14
Honestly, I was wondering the same; however, looking at the two children we've seen, it seems they belong to them. We know the older one is theirs, and it would seem if the younger of the children belonged to the captors, he would likely not have light hair and blue eyes. Of course, I could be completely wrong. All the news outlets are reporting the couple has three children, but I could not find any pictures of them with all three. I assume the 3rd would be a newborn or young infant.
I agree there seems to be more to this story, but it is clear they have been held captive with the amount of weight loss, etc. I'm happy, for the children's sake and theirs that they are free.
What on earth were these two doing "backpacking" in Afghanistan?
And they were kidnapped and held for 5 years by the most vicious and notorious network of militants, the Haqqani family?
How much money did we pay Haqqani or the ISI to "free" them?
Something smells really fishy about this story.
17
Could not imagine losing 5 years of my life like that, will be story to tell though. Kudos to the Trump administration and the Pakistanis for securing release.
Anybody read The Great Game? In brief, because of fears that the Russians would come down through the little-known areas of Afghanistan to India, in the mid-1800s British spies darkened their skin, learned various languages and customs and thought they would fool the local khans to gain vital information. The khans, of course, recognized these visitors as imposters, wined and dined them as was the custom of hospitality and then cut off their heads at dawn. We still don't get it -- any attempts to invade, mollify or control these people amount to one fool's errand after another. This couple is extremely lucky they have lived to tell the tale. I'll be curious to hear more of their strange story.
14
The American administration......worked.... . I think it's been a success of the Pakistani government. Consider ....five years.
Poor kids. Will they be allowed to enter the USA, with no birth certificate ?
9
Does the travel ban apply to their children since the aren't American citizens and are from Afghanistan?
17
How thoughtful of you. Any child born to a US Citizen, and any child born to a Canadian Citizen, are citizens by descent, at birth.
4
They are US Citizens. People born to US Citizens are US Citizens.
5
Sean's pretty baked today, cut him some slack...
4
Should have left those idiots in Afghanistan. Why in the world would they be hiking there?!? Husband was Canadian... go to Banff National Park and hike for Pete's sake. Dumb, dumb, dumb.
20
Pakistan plays with USA , milking it of billions of dollars while it arms, harbors and supports the most vicious sunni murderous terrorist groups, while fooling US administrations for past 70 years.
They have mastered the art of fooling USA.
16
Sorry, the only place on the planet to hike is Afghanistan? AND they had two children while in captivity? Fornication would be the last thing on my mind while being held hostage, and least not bringing two other victims into the situation. Sometimes I think, "This survival of the fittest thing has something to it."
6
If they were married they were not "fornicating." Anyway, what else was there to do?
4
It is likely that the children were fathered by the captors not the husband.
7
In this case maybe they had nothing better to do than making babies. From a more worrying perspective, maybe getting pregnant kept her safe from her captors and also elicited more compassion and consideration for both of them from the militants. Hopefully the kids are alright and turn out happy and normal and have successful lives. As for the parents, glad they are safe now and hopefully their story will make more sense when we get more details. Hopefully.
Backpacking near Kabul? Why not North Korea?
22
Hey honey, where should we go for vacation this year? Hmmm...idk, how 'bout Afghanistan???
Sure! Sounds fun! LOL
15
My think is that ISI just played " a card" humoring your President, they are into the second deck of "finding terrorists" , capturing hostages, et.cet and in general playing USA for a fool.
4
Backpacking in a militant stronghold??? Seriously??? Maybe next they will swim with some great white sharks...
10
Backpacking in terroristan. What's wrong with these people? Are there not enough mountains elsewhere to do this activity?
12
What kind of ill informed does one have to be to go backpacking in Afghanistan, or North Korea for that matter?
8
These adults either seriously lack judgment or are some type of radicals. I am glad for the children though.
9
They shouldn't have been over there in the 1st place!
7
The headline on the front page says "militants free..." which is incorrect - they were freed by the Pakistani and American forces.
That being said, I'm glad their ordeal is over.
2
Nevermind the "why" of the circumstances of their kidnapping, I'm glad the America and Canadian safe and alive.
5
“One of my generals....”
No, Mr. President, they [the senior military leadership of the Armed Forces of the United States of America] are not yours. If White House Chief of Staff, former General, John Kelly; or former General, Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis; or still commissioned General McMaster, dually serving as National Security Advisor, have not explained this to you, then they are not doing you any service. So, let me explain it to you. You are President because of the electoral college, you have a rapidly dwindling political base and have burned what little political capital you had in infernos that make the California wildfires seem like contained campfires where s’mores are being made. You have shown yourself incapable of rational thought, empathy, sympathy or a grasp of the English language. You need to resign. If you do not do so, your troubles will not go away but multiply. You are a crook. You engaged in money laundering and kickbacks. Your family business continues to do so. If you resign now, maybe that investigation by Robert Mueller will go away. It won’t stop the investigations by state and local governments (and probably some not pro-Trump foreign powers), but you can probably leave the country and go into exile somewhere. The longer you squat in the White House, the less-likely that is to happen....and all the Generals and Admirals of the U.S. Armed Forces cannot help you.
24
The true hostage was the U.S. being placed in a position to negotiate for these idiots to be released. If you are "hiking" in Afghanistan or, say, Iraq, and are "kidnapped", that's the result of your own stupidity. No sympathy for them. If you think that they were released because suddenly Pakistan or the Haqquani Network has a new "respect" for the U.S. you are delusional. Money or other consideration was paid.
12
If you think they were really hiking, without questioning it further, then you may as well believe that no money was paid.
3
While we are thankful this happened, Under the hood, Pakistani Intelligence Agency ISI just cut a deal with the Haqqanis to release them and throw some bread crumbs America's way - that way Trump can boast about his ability to make things work, US army generals/CIA can be kept quiet from beating the drums on the Haqqanis for a bit longer but more importantly, Pakistan can continue pretending it is doing just enough to support the "war on terror" , US congress can release more funds to support Pakistan and provide them more military equipment and all parties can make it seem like a win-win situation where as in reality things just keep getting worse every day. What a joke (again!)
17
While I reserve a great deal of scorn for this couple's recklessness, the enemy here is still their captors and the ungrateful Afghan population that supports them. I seem to remember the US helping to liberate Afghanistan from the Soviets within the lifetime of most people who live there, and respecting their sensibilities about not trying to move in there ourselves. This assistance continues to be repaid with some of the basest wretchedness in the modern world. We've been far too kind.
6
Here's a thought for intelligent, rational Americans: Backpacking in Afghanistan is not an intelligent thing to do.
The same is true for wandering in China near North Korea's border. Same for any border near Iran.
13
Intelligent, rational Americans know all this already, but thanks for the heads up.
3
There's a lot of background that is missing in this article: https://globalnews.ca/news/1374898/canadian-held-in-afghanistan-who-is-j.... (Global News is one of Canada's three mainstream TV networks, akin to NBC or CBS or ABC.) Boyle it seems was previously married to Zaynab Khadr, the eldest daughter of Ahmed Khadr, Osama bin Laden's Egyptian-Canadian finance guy in the 1990s, and herself a somewhat notorious defender in Canada of al Qaeda after the Afghanistan invasion. According to the article, he also claims to have written Wikipedia articles on terrorism. Oddly, the Wikipedia article on Zaynab Khadr still has the Global reference as footnote 9 but the text to which it presumably was a footnote and mentioned Boyle, has disappeared.
14
So let's assume the official story is accurate and they recklessly decided to hike in Afghanistan. That is indeed foolish but hardly justifies kidnapping, rape, a nightmare the rest of us will never know...it is important to have empathy for people who are treated in such a manner, as it is not their fault no matter what mistakes they may have made. Focusing on what some people seem to equate with complicity in their own terrible experience only distracts from the real issue, which is that these things are happening at all. Let us unite to make a more peaceful world instead of shaming victims.
3
Someone explain to me exactly why we are in that country.
Is it the trillions in mineral/natural resources (the one's that Eric Prince said could be used to pay for his private army)?
Know what I think?
I think that no one has a clue why we are there, what 'our' goal is and that 'someone' is making huge bucks on this and has been for the last 15 years.
(And, please, don't insult me with saying, Al-Quaida. I still have the copy of the Times article where the CIA declared that there were only 100 to 150 left in Afghanistan.)
Go ahead: explain.
8
Pakistan army has done a commendable work by freeing five kidnapped persons from militarists from Afghanistan and President Trump acknowledged this act. I hope Pakistan and Americans will cooperate in this type of humanitarian efforts to save the innocents entangled in a fruitless war in Afghanistan instead of blaming each other for failures to get an unachievable military victory in that war ravaged country.
1
Hiking or backpacking in the back regions of Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, border near North Korea automatically designates you as a spy for the CIA. The excuse of hiking and backpacking is so lame that the government captors in those countries see right through it. Like other people commented, those so many other places to hike in the US, Canada, European countries, South America that are safe.
12
Trump has no idea what the word "respect" means and he thinks that people "respect" the USA more now that he is president.
8
re: "And one of my generals came in,"
Using the first person, possessive pronoun to modify "generals" speaks to Trump's acquisitiveness and narcissism. His delusion that everything is about him is long overdue for a reality check.
20
I have a family member who was killed assisting with the rescue efforts for two American religious zealots who were proselytizing in a third world country, a place the State Department warned them about. I agree, there is much more to this story than what was reported, and I fear when we know more, we may wonder why our government spent resources to help obtain their freedom. At some point we need to start letting folks live with the consequences of their foolish personal behavior.
25
If a young single man went backpacking in this area I think he would be assumed to be a terrorist. I hope some scrutiny has been applied to these people.
3
"...The pair was kidnapped in October 2012 while backpacking in Wardak Province, a militant stronghold near Kabul...."
Why would anyone want to go backpacking in Afghanistan?
35
Jokurt, These are people of courage and not cowards like us. Besides Afghanistan is a very beautiful rugged country for any geologist and its people very hospitable. But I am so overwhelmed at their safe release and the three beautiful children born in captivity. Thanks to everyone for their safe return.
1
Well, that is the $64,000.00 question isn't it?
4
These are people of stupidity and they could have gone hiking in very beautiful mountains right next to your country. "Coward" happen to be people who use their brains and survive. It's called survival of the fittest.
3
WHAT were they thinking? Lack of common SENSE .... intentionally putting yourself in harm's way in hostile terrain and territory. And while pregnant? SMDH!
33
If reports are correct that his first wife was the sister of a Gitmo prisoner, hiking in war zones isn't his only dance with unnecessary drama. Looks more like an exuberance for nonsense than a lack of sense.
3
"We're like, totally not CIA spies. I mean, with this facial hair on me? And this baby bump on her!? Like come on, we're just hiking the Appalachian—uh, Afghani...stani...pistachio trail! Yeah."
3
It is obvious that those reading this article and commenting don’t have the back story on these two people. The babies in captivity were from being raped by their captors. They were two very very naive liberal people, confirmed by family members, who decided to go to a war zone.
13
You're right- we don't have the back story on these people- except for his interest in terrorism and his previous marriage. The blond children in the December 2016 video appear to be about 1 and 3 years old and greatly resemble the parents, especially Mr Boyle. This is not to say she didn't have a horrific experience as she says. We cannot make absolute statements until we have more knowledge and facts.
3
I don't know what is so shocking about a woman giving birth in captivity in Afghanistan where women are seen as little more than man pleasing baby generating machines. In this culture, when the woman is western, any man who desires her can just have her without any intracultural impediment towards rape or any legal repercussions for that matter
9
What's shocking is that a pregnant American woman thought it was intelligent to go backpacking in a country where women are seen as little more than man-pleasing baby-makers.
8
It's hard for me to muster sympathy in incidents like these. A naive white person goes to a third world country in South America/Africa/Asia expecting some cathartic Dances with Wolves-type experience but instead gets kidnapped or killed. It's arrogance, really. Traveling to dangerous far off lands isn't peaceful and enlightening, it's incredibly stupid.
36
So true. Some people (not of color) feel they can go anywhere in the world and most of time it’s true, but not always.
2
Oh please. Life is inherently risky. What's life without a little adventure now and again. You just sit back in your easy chair and stick to your Rick Steves re-runs while everyone else lives out their dreams.
MAGA.
1
And just how much did this cost us? Why would anyone choose to go backpacking in Afghanistan of all places! Please -
17
Don will make a big deal out of his "really magnificent" negotiations. In fact, these people should be arrested. As so many have asked, why would anyone want to go to this place. The US needs to make places like this off limits and anyone that ends up there would be sent to prison on their return to the US.
5
The husband is Canadian. You missed giving us any comments by the Canadian government. What do they think about hiking in a war zone? What are they willing to give up to make a trade? Or, is Trump taking credit where the FBI's hostage group did all the work?
17
Once again, the disgrace known as Trump leads with what is really important,
"And one of my generals came in, they said, you know, I have to tell you, a year ago they would have never done that. It was a great sign of respect. You’ll probably be hearing about it over the next few days.”
So not about the release but a so called General( a total lie like all the rest) came to give the Imbecile a complement . JOB DONE.
27
Clearly between Hole 8 and Tee 9, arrangements were made.
1
I, too, I am very thankful that you all will be stateside soon so that the real healing can begin. Thank you to everyone who made your release possible. I pray that you get home, settled, and re-acclimated to your surroundings. I am sure you have a long journey ahead!
To the Coleman's...God bless all of you! I am so sorry you and your children had to go through the things that you did.
12
They didn't "have" to go through anything. They chose to "hike" in a war zone teeming with Islamist nutjob Jihadis. What did they expect?
12
Really? blessing stupidity?
3
Have no doubt trump didn't even know about these hostages. Credit should go to intelligence/negotiators, but it won't - trump will claim he did it all.
21
Backpacking IN terrorist territory has to be one of the dumbest things one can do.
Why not do the same thing in N.Korea?
19
What kind of person wakes up and thinks, 'I'm pregnant. I know, I'll go backpacking in Afghanistan?'
Jeez.
12
Plenty of people think nothing will happen to them and then they do stupid things. This one is just one of the more... outlandish.
2
While I am happy to hear this family are some of the lucky ones who are freed, how much danger did they cause for so many others? Our own military trying to free them? Other hostages who were there for valid reasons (not because of a very poor choice of location for a vacay)? Innocent civilians. There is more to this story that will be told.....
35
Unfortunately, when people choose not to listen to common sense, they often have to pay the consequences. Traveling to dangerous, militant regions is very dangerous. If people choose to go these regions--North Korea, Afghanistan, etc--there is a very real chance they could end up as a hostage or have worse things done to them. The US State Department puts out travel advisories and if people choose to ignore these, they are taking a risk with their lives. There is not much we--as a country and as individuals--can do once a person is captured. It seems like our society is increasingly forgoing punishments and making excuses for people who exhibit bad judgement and inexcusable actions--letting rapists and sexual predators go free or serve minimum time. That might, unfortunately, be how things are in the US right now but stepping out of line in other countries can result in very real, life-threatening consequences.
17
This is a big world with plenty of opportunity for awe inspiring hikes. I want to know why the couple were backpacking in the Wardak Province, a militant stronghold?
49
Oblivious to their danger, I'm guessing.
2
There is much missing from this story. Other accounts I've read say Mr. Boyle was pretty much obsessed with Islamic terrorism, was previously married to the wife of a Guantanamo detainee, and led a pretty active religious life, considering at one point a conversion to Islam. Every quote attributed to Ms. Coleman mentions "god". Now whether these people were religious zealots, Christian idealists, or just misguided hippies, their trip was not merely a hike in the mountains.
74
*The sister of a Guantanamo detainee, not wife.
3
Between taking a hike in a war zone while your pregnant, then having two more kids while you are captives and what Donald is doing to America everyday, I think I am now in an alternate universe. Everyday I hear something that is the most incredibly ridiculous thing I've ever heard, then the very NEXT day I wake up and hear the most incredibly ridiculous thing I've ever heard. Maybe it's Ground Hog Day...
71
I doubt that contraceptives were available to them while they were being detained.
4
I am afraid having the kids was not a choice...
2
Are you so naive to think that these additional children were the result of consensual sex? It's pretty obvious she was raped while a hostage and these pregnancies were the result.
4
Something off with this story. They went on a hike/camping trip as if they were in Yosemite? Good grief, they were in a war zone. Who in their right mind goes camping in a war zone?
Something is not right with this story. Smells really fishy.
84
Backpacking in a war zone, in an area controlled by militants. What part of this story is missing?
39
Looks like they had to cow tow to the Koran to survive (With the veil covering her head), and that's just what they did. Backpacking over there in these times, brilliant!
11
Why isn't being Taliban, or being a Taliban supporter, an automatic capital offense? Same for Al-Qaida, Hamas, Hezbollah, Boko Haram, etc. Put a bounty on their heads and watch their numbers dwindle.
3
Because we live in the United States of America, where you are free to have whatever ideas you want. You cannot be prosecuted for your beliefs, only your actions. Killing someone for their beliefs is what the Taliban does.
11
Doesn't the USA have a list of countries where Americans are advised, if not forbidden, to travel? Afghanistan and North Korea surely must be on it. What these people were doing there is beyond comprehension. People should not expect a bailout under such circumstances.
60
President Trump is taking full credit for the family's release, saying that this would not have happened a year ago -- presumably meaning that it would not have happened under President Obama. The President is holding this up as an example that the world is respecting the U.S. where we got no respect under President Obama.
Yet the reporting says the release is due to intervention by "another country."
125
I don't see the words you've put in quotation marks anywhere in the article. It clearly states that the Pakistani gvt. and the Trump administration (FBI and State Department) worked in tandem to gain the family's freedom. Obama had four years to get them freed. Did he even try?
1
Yes Obama did try! In fact, he set up the structure to introduce greater facilitation to the entire process. Give credit where credit is due, which, in this case, means that both Obama and Trump deserve to share the credit. Time will tell how it is divvied up.
8
Did you read the article? "The end of the family’s captivity was a victory for the State Department officials and the F.B.I.-led Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell that had worked on the case for years. The group was created under the Obama administration to improve the government’s efforts to free hostages and to ensure their families received timely information about them." Trump is just taking credit for it.
16
I am glad that this family is safe.
But, the story is not - what is mentioned in this report. CIA, Pakistan ISI, Haqqani network terrorists and many other dirty scoundrels are sure involved. The Haqqani's know who is a valuable target. Or the pakistanis can tip off the terrorists controlled by them.
"Media in the region reported that the Pakistani military had initially taken custody of the family". The key word here is custody.
US stated position is they don't negotiate with terrorists. Sure they do. Especially to protect their own spies. Raymond Davis hasn't gone shopping in Pakistani bazaars either.
3
Backpacking while pregnant strikes me as risky. Especially over there. Hardly romantic.
34
It must be romantic. They had two more kids "in captivity."
1
I recommended this before remembering that she was violated. So those kids were probably not her lover's.
3
The ordeal these people went through is unspeakable but 100% self inflicted. When you put yourself in harm's way like this it is unreasonable to expect your country, either Canada or the United States, to make choices that are harmful to your fellow citizens in order to rescue you from your folly. There are areas of the world that are inherently dangerous, they are not vacation spots.
113
As I commented 5 years ago: who goes backpacking in a war zone ?
111
Did she know she was pregnant when she set off with a backpack in a war zone?
1
Yes. She was five months along already.
2
"....while backpacking in the Wardak Province..." O, what all places these Americans go for backpacking! North Korea, Iran etc...Who were they working for? CIA?
36
Regarding all the comments asking why anyone would travel to Afghanistan, maybe it really is time for the U.S. to build a big wall around the entire country, and everyone could stay safely inside. This is not to suggest that there aren't dangerous places out there, but seriously, if people stop engaging with the rest of the world, the terrorists win.
22
When are people going to get this?!!?!!? Building a wall around the US will still not keep us safe.......Las Vegas, Sandy Hook, Oklahoma City......just to name a few. Terrorism lives in our country, too.
7
There's probably thousands of interesting places to visit that allows people in the US to engage with the world without "hiking" in a terrorist stronghold. Even in that region of the world, there are other relatively safer places they could visit that are off the beaten path.
29
I agree with you that we cannot ignore the rest of the world and not do things we like to do.
However, I like to hike in the White Mountains, but I also know that I could die above tree level in a snowstorm which happened fast and furiously. And they have, and people have died.
I use this as a poor example because, IMO, hiking in any country that is warring within itself with various groups has to be taking great chances and expecting it to be a walk in the sun.
4
A Canadian and his pregnant American wife just out on a stroll while on vacation in the middle of a war zone. And they end up being captured by militants. No, nothing suspicious here. Look away; look away.
165
Great news welcome home Boyle and Coleman family. Free at last. Free at last.
29
Though I don't know these folks I, too, am glad they are coming home! Karen
1
They don't seem to be free yet. Apparently their release is 'impending'.
2
They should be arrested and charged for what must be insane costs for their release. These rescues are ridiculous as are the people that necessitate them. No sympathy, no welcome home. Go for another walk in NK.
2
Unless I'm missing something, I can't imagine making the decision to bear children who will be born into captivity. I can't imagine even having a sex drive under those circumstances. Strange story here.
63
Adorable, Panthiest! See, in theocracies, women don't get to have birth control or choices. And, unlike some believe, women DO get pregnant after they are 'defiled'.
So yeah, you're missing something. Do you believe that no children are born in the groaning refugee camps filled with hundreds of thousands? If women relied on their sex drives to reproduce, the population would be controlled.
97
Wow, naive much? You must be a man. She was no doubt assaulted. She said she was defiled....
34
She may have been raped by her captors.
23
Maybe I'm incredibly naive but I don't understand why any couple, especially a couple that is expecting a child would go hiking or sightseeing where there are known terrorist organizations. It just makes no sense. What also is senseless to me is why this couple chose to have two more children while in captivity? What are they thinking? And what does this statement mean; "She described her time as a hostage as “Kafkaesque” and said she had been “defiled.”" Does that mean that her pregnancies were not by her husband?
Frankly no American or Canadian or anyone else should be taking chances in Taliban controlled countryside. Everyone knows what the possible outcomes are. Why did the husband risk his own life, his wife and his unborn child? This whole affair is too bizarre to understand.
138
I agree that the behavior of this couple makes little sense, but then the things humans do innocently often make no sense. This is beyond the pale, however. That said, I am wondering if the children born during captivity weren't the result of sexual attacks by the couple's captors rather than a "normal" conjugal relationship.
10
A question that comes to mind, who says the husband is the father? This is the Taliban we are talking about. For them rape and plunder is not an atrocity, but the bread and butter of war.
5
‘Backpacking in the Wardak Province, a militant stronghold near Kabul’
What were they thinking? They both paid a big price for their indiscretion including putting the lives of the unborn child and the children that followed at risk.
39
I am glad they are finally free and I hope the professor too. But I can't reiterate this enough: people, do not go to places like the Middle East or North Korea - or, to be honest Russia etc - unless you are prepare to lose your life and suffer immeasurably. And you did feel such an urge, consider your extended family and friends.
72
Bos from Boston. You are right Americans should not go to places where the state Department advises you not to. Time and time again Americans are taken hostage in places where they were advised not to go by the state Department. Not only is it bad for the hostages but bad for the country as no matter what you hear, there is always a give and take behind the scenes to get hostage release. Bu the way Bos, the children were born while in captivity. Good work by the Trump administration in freeing this family.
10
At this point, I would add Turkey as well.
4
@Girish Kotwal - to set the record straight, Trump didn't help to free the family. The Pakistani troop cornered the Taliban militants and the latter didn't have the chance to kill the family
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/12/world/asia/american-canadian-hostages...
They were captured while backpacking in Wardak province, What am I missing here? Is Wardak Province somewhere in the Swiss Alps? The article states it is near Kabul. What is the real story here?
114
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maidan_Wardak_Province
Maidan Wardak province is located in the central and eastern region of Afghanistan; bordering Parwan to the northeast, Kabul and Logar to the east, Ghazni to the south and Bamyan to the west. The capital of Maidan Wardak province is Maidan Shar, which is located about 35 km from Kabul. Maidan Wardak province covers an area of 9,934 km
7
It seems a lot more than likely that we are not getting anywhere near the full story.
Choosing that locale for "a hike" would have been far too reckless to be credible.
68
While I am glad that they are coming home, and am sympathetic to their ordeal, one has to ask,"what were they thinking?" Equally important, have they put anyone else at risk if they were used as a bargaining chip by the rebels?
124
time for americans to stay and visit the usa.....plenty to see and experience, many different cultures, great mountains to climb, oceans, lakes, caves, plenty of needy people who could benefit from health missions or building missions or educational missions...
74
So the choices are war zone or stay home? I think it could cure a great many of our ills if more Americans visited other countries. There are hundreds of them not on the State Departments advisory list.
3
She had two more children in captivity. Am I the only one that thinks this is weird?
183
@MIMA did you read this?
'She described her time as a hostage as “Kafkaesque” and said she had been “defiled.”'
10
She said she was "defiled" in other words raped by her captors, I would assume.
25
Probability is high that she was raped by her captors. It's a widespread "weapon of war"
11
They put themselves in grave danger while the woman was pregnant. It begs the question- what were they thinking? I hope they don't start blaming Pres. Obama. They should blame themselves.
168
I mean no offence whatsoever, but why people -especially American people-would go backpacking in Afghanistan? For God's sake!!! I mean whatever your initiative and whatever your ideas on the "moving around this world should not be an issue/problem", people should get their facts right first before pitting their family members in such a "test".
72
FYI husband is Canadian.
2
What an ordeal for them to through. The article speaks of the children as hers not theirs which must be gut wrenching for the husband considering she has said she was defiled. This is the supreme test for any marriage and I hope they find a way to cope with it.
What ever our foreign is we can't let it be dictated by kidnapers.
10
"Gut wrenching" for the husband?? How about gut wrenching for the woman-the victim?
39
I believe you meant gut wrenching for her, as she was, as her words suggest, repeatedly raped by her captors and then had to give birth to two children sired by those rapes.
32
I am sure you all are right but I was struck by his almost being ignored. Do I need to tell anyone how awful it is to be raped, I would think everyone knows that. Seeing I am a man I addressed the other side. I hope that she has a maternal love for her children but the husband may only see them as a constant reminder of her rape and the whole experience.
The husband was virtually ignored in this piece and there must be a reason for it.
Lastly if I had focused on her the reaction would be something like "You are a man and could not understand how women feel", so I left it alone and made no comment about her. Maybe you don't understand what this does to a man knowing what is happening and being totally helpless.
3
I am so happy this family is on their way to the States and will soon be reunited with their family. But, we are all wondering why a couple would go for a vacation/hike in a war zone?
109
I am not unsympathetic to the plight of those who find themselves in situation such as this. But I do question their judgment in "hiking" in a war torn area of a war torn country. To do so is to flirt with horrible consequences. I wish this family well, and hope their children are safe. I also hope their experience will be a warning to those who might make better choices. Often it is our own hubris that places us in danger. Americans tend to think that we are somehow shrouded in special protection from the hazards of an international world. We are not.
158
There has to be more than what is being said. Yes, it is ridiculous for a pregnant woman and her husband to go "back packing" in a war zone. Really, how did they get the Visa's? Did they just tell the Afghan government they were on vacation and want to go for a stroll in a militant stronghold? Didn't anyone try and stop them? Seriously, who goes on vacation in Afghanistan so they can go back packing? I would like to know the real reason they were there.
12
Perhaps the woman didn't have as much choice as you might imagine.
2
I don't wish to sound mean and I've done a fair amount of travelling around in "off the beaten track" places, but I'm curious as to why a pregnant woman and her husband, or anyone else for that matter, would put themselves in jeopardy backpacking in Wardak Province, a militant stronghold near Kabul, Afghanistan.
There are so very many other much safer and equally interesting places in the world to go backpacking.
Wanderlust at its worst. Then when they get in trouble, their native countries, often with the help of others, have to bail them out to freedom.
378
You don't sound mean, you sound like someone who would make a saner decision than these two did.
36
They won't be the first, nor the last Americans to go to dangerous places, and then be kidnapped. Think of the Philippines, North Korea, Iran, Columbia, as just some of the other countries that have had kidnappings and murders in the past.
2
@Grumpy: I agree and have always had the same thought, not just in this situation.
For instance, the case of Lisa Ling's sister and unfortunately,Otto Warmbier. Even with warnings and past examples, you still find people sneaking in or venturing into these unstable and dangerous places and 'breaking their laws' when they've been repeatedly vocalized. Let's call it like it is.
Yes, you shouldn't feel restricted to travel wherever you want BUT some of these places are those with whom some tumultuous relations exist with the US they have made known their intentions when it comes retaliation towards Americans,so it's always mind-boggling when you see these stories that make headlines and sometimes escalate already existing tensions,because a curious citizen wanted to test boundaries just because.
Some good news in a bad news world. But why were they backpacking in the Wardak Province? As white Westerners they were especially at risk. Nothing the Taliban wants more than to capture Westerners to keep as hostages.
90
The article does not mention why these people were in Afghanistan in the first place. Who goes to such a dangerous place???
44
Spies? Just a thought...
21
The article says they went “hiking”. Did you miss that?
1
A pregnant spy? Now there's a new twist.
3
Maybe I'm nuts, but who in their right mind decides it's a good idea to go backpacking in a militant stronghold in Afghanistan ... and while pregnant? "Kafkaesque" indeed.
251
It's such a weird explanation that it makes me think that it simply isn't true. Perhaps that's just the explanation that their families gave the press. Recall when another set of young American "hikers" were captured by Iran when they wandered over the border while "backpacking" in Iraq? Now it seems like that group of people were more like freelancers trying to find & experience an international news story rather than just extremely naive vacationers.
1