Global News Podcast The Global Story; The hostage negotiator’s guide to making deals with Putin’s Russia
22 snips
Nov 16, 2025 
Roger Carstens, former U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs, shares insights from his remarkable career negotiating with adversaries, including Russia. He discusses the complexities of prisoner swaps, including the cases of Paul Whelan and Trevor Reed. Carstens emphasizes the importance of listening and building connections during negotiations. He reveals the intricacies of dealing with various Russian agencies and reflects on the moral dilemmas in high-stakes exchanges, including the controversial Brittney Griner swap.
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Lead With Listening And Humility
- Bring your full self: listen, show humility, and build a human connection before bargaining.
- Establish trust and rapport first to create a realistic chance of a workable agreement.
Why A Single Hostage Focal Point Works
- The US created a single empowered envoy role after failures to rescue Americans from ISIS.
- Centralising responsibility improved communication with families and enabled direct engagement with adversaries.
Find Who Holds The Key
- Identify who truly controls the detainee: foreign ministry, justice, or intelligence agencies.
- Target the channel (FSB, GRU, SVR) that holds the key to the jail cell to shape realistic negotiation strategies.
