Roger Carstens

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.

Roger Carstens, Former Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs, shares his insights from negotiating with adversaries, especially Russia. He highlights the importance of empathy, trust, and building human connections in successful negotiations. Carstens recounts dramatic hostage cases, including the intricate logistics behind the swaps of Paul Whelan and Brittney Griner. He discusses the motivations behind wrongful detentions and emphasizes that direct talks are crucial, even when dealing with leaders like Putin.

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.