A U.S. citizen who has been detained for more than a year by the Taliban in Afghanistan was finally released yesterday. Dennis Coyle, a 64-year-old academic from Colorado, was taken from his Kabul apartment in January 2025 and held without charges. On 9 March, Marco Rubio declared the Taliban was using "terrorist tactics" and "kidnapping individuals for ransom or to seek policy concessions".
The same day, US special envoy for hostage response, Adam Boehler, warned that any nation holding innocent Americans could become the "next Venezuela" or Iran.
Coyle had spent years in Afghanistan conducting language research and was held in near-solitary confinement by the Taliban’s intelligence agency. U.S. officials confirmed his release, and he was transported to the United Arab Emirates shortly afterward. His family expressed gratitude to U.S. officials, international mediators, and others who supported efforts to secure his freedom.
The release follows ongoing talks between U.S. representatives and the Taliban, often mediated by Qatar due to limited diplomatic ties. Officials describe the move as a humanitarian gesture and a step toward improving dialogue between the countries. Coyle’s family also acknowledges other Americans still detained and says they would continue advocating for their return.
Source: CBS NEWS