When Ransoms Pay for Terrorism

Agence France-Presse — Getty Images An image released by Al Andalus, the media branch of Al Qaeda in the Magreb, shows two French hostages: Serge Lazarevic, left, and Philippe Verdon, whose body was found last month.

Militant organizations in North Africa, including those affiliated with Al Qaeda, have received some $120 million in ransomsover the past decade, enabling terrorist networks to expand. Afoiled Qaeda plot disclosed in Yemen this week would have raised the stakes further: seizing a port and kidnapping foreign workers.

Most countries forbid negotiating with terrorists and kidnappers, but when a loved one’s life is at stake, it’s easy to find loopholes. Should ransoms ever be paid? What can be done to deal with this growing crisis in North Africa?

Source http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2013/08/07/when-ransoms-pay-for-terrorism