The family of Ryan Corbett, an American who has been held hostage by the Taliban in Afghanistan since 2022, has grown increasingly frustrated with the way the Biden administration is handling the negotiations for his release. Anna Corbett, wife of Ryan Corbett, shared recently the heartbreaking details of a long-awaited phone call with President Joe Biden, labelling the conversation as “devastating” and “incredibly crushing” for their family.
Ryan Corbett was captured by the Taliban in August 2022 during his humanitarian work in Afghanistan. A year had already passed since the U.S. military had left Afghanistan. The family has struggled for his release, wading through a maze of diplomatic efforts and stalled negotiations. In particular, Anna Corbett was vocal about the slow progress and lack of decisive action from the U.S. government to bring her husband home.
In a recent interview on Fox & Friends, Anna shared the painful details of her call with President Biden. Despite the president expressing empathy for her situation, Anna was left disheartened when Biden reportedly admitted that securing Ryan’s release was not currently a priority. “He was very kind and empathetic, but what I heard him say is that he is not bringing Ryan home,” Anna said. “To hear after all this effort, there is a deal on the table, there is a way to bring Ryan home, and it’s not being taken, is incredibly crushing to our family.”
Degradation in Captivity Becomes Worsening
Anna Corbett has brought to the public’s attention the grave concerns regarding her husband’s deteriorating health. Ryan has reportedly been detained in harsh, inhumane conditions, including being confined in a windowless basement cell with limited access to food and medical care. In one of their few phone calls, Ryan confided in Anna that he was physically declining and feared that his family would not recognize him due to his worsening condition.
“It’s very difficult because his conditions are not livable,” Anna explained. “He told me on a call that I would not recognize him.”
The Taliban’s harsh treatment of detainees has been widely reported, raising alarms about the physical and psychological toll on Ryan and other Americans held in Afghanistan.
Stalled Negotiations and Political Frustration
The Biden administration has been negotiating with the Taliban to release Ryan Corbett and two other Americans, namely George Glezmann and Mahmoud Habibi. According to reports, the U.S. proposed a prisoner swap in which they would release Muhammad Rahim al Afghani, a Guantanamo Bay detainee who is said to have ties with al-Qaeda, in exchange for the American hostages. Negotiations have stalled, however, as the Taliban are said to be demanding further concessions.
The Wall Street Journal, the Taliban now signals it wants to deal with the Trump administration, seeing an opportunity to receive better offers in exchange
Anna left disillusioned from her experience with the Biden administration. She managed to get national security adviser Jake Sullivan to finally see her only after 16 months of pleading on her part, as she appeals and appeals with multiple requests, after which the White House granted her a meeting with President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming team and successfully met National Security Adviser Mike Waltz about Ryan’s case.
“I have heard from several that President Trump is concerned about our family,” Anna said. “He knows that we are down here. He knows about our situation and is very concerned.”
Her experience with the Trump team has reignited hope for her. “This shows that President Trump is very concerned, is wanting to prioritize our family. I know he’s tough. He wants to make deals,” she said.
Despite these obstacles, Anna does not waver. She feels strongly that the new administration will work harder at securing Ryan’s freedom. “I absolutely believe they will bring Ryan home,” Anna said. “The details, of course, are unclear. This is complicated, and I’m not an expert in any of this, but it’s very clear that the incoming administration cares about bringing U.S. citizens back to their country.”
Speaking Up
Anna’s advocacy extends beyond the airwaves. She has worked closely with organizations such as the James Foley Foundation, which advocates for Americans wrongfully detained abroad. The foundation has amplified calls for the U.S. government to prioritize hostage recovery efforts.
Ryan’s family is not alone in this fight. Families of other Americans detained abroad are demanding action and transparency from the government regarding hostage situations. The Corbett family’s plight points out the personal cost of geopolitical conflicts and the emotional burden that families carry when waiting for loved ones to return home.
As the Biden administration enters its final months in office, the pressure mounts on the hostage situations to be resolved. But each passing day, for Anna Corbett and for her family, is just another missed milestone.
“I want my children to have their dad back to be a part of their life,” Anna said, echoing many who share her experience.
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