The Global Story; The hostage negotiator’s guide to making deals with Putin’s Russia

In this episode of The Global Story, Asma Khalid interviews Roger Carstens, the former special presidential envoy for hostage affairs, about his experiences negotiating with adversaries like Russia, Iran, and the Taliban to secure the release of wrongfully detained Americans. Carstens shares his approach to negotiations, emphasizing the importance of listening, building relationships, and being honest, even with opponents. The discussion focuses on the U.S.-Russia relationship, highlighting specific cases like Paul Whelan, Trevor Reed, and Brittney Griner, and the complex decisions involved in prisoner swaps, including the moral considerations of releasing notorious figures like Victor Bout. Carstens also touches on the potential for President Trump's personal relationship with President Putin to facilitate a deal to end the war in Ukraine and reflects on the challenges and regrets of his role, underscoring the commitment to families while acknowledging the inability to guarantee specific outcomes.