Arrested in Iran
Last week three young American hikers were arrested in Iran for crossing the border from Iraq. Yesterday the captured Americans were identified as Shane Bauer, Sarah Shourd, and Josh Fattal. Kurdish officials who are working with their Iranian counterparts on the case said they were students, two of whom were studying Arabic in Damascus, Syria. The status of the three remained unknown Monday despite efforts by Swiss diplomats to obtain details from the Iranian Foreign Minister. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton also appealed to Iran for information. Shane Bauer and Sarah Shourd worked as freelance journalists in the region. Sandy Close is the executive director of Pacific News Service. Shane and Sarah both wrote pieces for the organization. Ms. Close thinks Shane Bauer was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. She joins The Takeaway to discuss her young employee’s capture.
The World is an independent newsroom. We’re not funded by billionaires; instead, we rely on readers and listeners like you. As a listener, you’re a crucial part of our team and our global community. Your support is vital to running our nonprofit newsroom, and we can’t do this work without you. Will you support The World with a gift today? Donations made between now and Dec. 31 will be matched 1:1. Thanks for investing in our work!