The Global Story The hostage negotiator’s guide to making deals with Putin’s Russia
Nov 13, 2025
Roger Carstens, the Former Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs, shares insights from his time negotiating the release of Americans wrongfully detained abroad, including in Russia. He discusses the importance of humility and connection in negotiations. Carstens dives into the Trevor Reed prisoner swap and the complex Brittney Griner-for-Viktor Bout exchange, highlighting moral dilemmas and strategies like multilateral cooperation. He also reflects on personal relationships with leaders and the challenges of negotiating with Putin’s Russia.
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Bring Your Full Self To The Table
- Bring your full self into negotiations by listening and showing humility.
- Build a human connection even with adversaries to increase chances of agreement.
Centralize Hostage Policy For Effectiveness
- The US created a single empowered focal point after failures with ISIS hostage cases.
- Centralizing responsibility improved family communication and negotiation options.
Special Forces Training Shaped His Approach
- Special Forces selection tests personality, ethics, and decision-making under stress.
- Those skills helped Roger Carstens build trust and honest relationships with adversaries.