Al-Qaeda Organization in the Islamic Maghreb

A sign outside a shop remembers James Foley in his hometown of Rochester, New Hampshire. Islamic State militants killed the journalist in a brutal videotaped beheading in revenge for US air strikes in Iraq.

They’ll never admit it, but many countries pay ransoms to get their hostages back

Conflict

If you’re being held hostage by terrorists overseas and you’re French or Spanish, there’s a good chance your government will find a way to free you — by paying a ransom through indirect means. If you’re American or British, your best bet is to try and escape — or hope for a daring military raid.

Militants in Mali take hostages in Algeria

In Africa, Malians forced to flee, frustrated by lack of progress

Unpacking the History of the French-Algerian Conflict

Tuaregs Escape Violence And Islamic Rule in Mali

Global Politics