Article Reflection No. 34 (12/16/2022)

(Photo Credit: Digital Workplace)

Article: How the Families of American Hostages Created Bipartisan Support for Prisoner Swaps

Reflection:

In The New Yorker article “How the Families of American Hostages Created Bipartisan Support for Prisoner Swaps”, journalist Joel Simon details the detaining of Trevor Reed, a young man who was (in 2019) convicted with nine years in prison within Russia after police interactions that had unfolded while he was intoxicated. According to Simon, despite Reed’s parents’ efforts to raise awareness of their son’s state, his eventual release was possible through the bipartisan support to “pressure the President” (Simon 1). Simon proceeds by describing the people involved in prisoner exchange swaps, including Jonathan Franks, who helped the Reeds through their hardships by arranging meetings with political leader(s). Given the great power and influence politics holds above foreign diplomacy, this assistance was imperative in gaining public support and placing pressure on authoritative figures, as well.

Bipartisan support is a word that I immediately correlate with bills, such as the infrastructure bill enacted earlier this year. However, this article casts a different-angled light on the phrase, and once again brings insight on how powerful this united force can be. It makes me so grateful for my loved ones to be safe and near me this holiday season.