The Art of Manliness #492: How to Survive a Secret Syrian Terrorist Prison
Mar 20, 2019
Matthew Schrier, author of "The Dawn Prayer," shares his harrowing journey of being captured by Al-Nusra Front in Syria. He discusses the survival tactics he developed during seven months of torture and starvation, emphasizing the power of humor and human connection even in dark times. Schrier also reflects on the precarious nature of trust among captives and guards, and recounts his experience as the first Westerner to escape an Al-Qaeda prison, illustrating the psychological warfare he faced and the clever plans he devised for freedom.
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Capture in Syria
- Matthew Schrier, a freelance photographer, was captured in Syria by the Al-Nusra Front.
- He was just 45 minutes from the Turkish border when a jeep intercepted his cab.
Syrian Conflict Complexity
- The Syrian conflict is complex, with various factions like the Syrian government, Free Syrian Army, and Al-Nusra Front.
- The FSA initially controlled most of Aleppo but lacked air support, leading to the rise of extremist groups.
Building Rapport through Humor
- To survive captivity, Schrier focused on building rapport with his captors, using humor as a tool.
- He aimed to make them laugh, relying on his past experience with FSA fighters.
