INSANE: 3 | Rare Historical Photos

‘The Russians wanted to break me’: Texas native Trevor Reed on his time in prison

WASHINGTON — “Hang in there, take one day at a time. Just remember that there’s people here who are fighting for you and that care about you, and that they’re not going to stop fighting until (you) all come home.”

Tribune News Service · Aug 17, 2022

Veteran U.S. diplomat Bill Richardson hopeful for Brittney Griner prisoner swap

Richardson declined to discuss the current status of negotiations with Russia over Griner and Paul Whelan or to explain what role he may be playing in the talks.

Chicago Sun-Times · Aug 9, 2022

Veteran emissary Richardson hopeful for Griner, Whelan swap

Bill Richardson, the former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and a frequent emissary in hostage negotiations, says he's hopeful about the chances of a two-for-two prisoner swap that could result in the release of WNBA star Brittney Griner and another jailed American, Paul Whelan

The Independent UK · Aug 9, 2022

From Bridge of Spies to Anna Chapman and Viktor Bout: A history of US-Russian prisoner swaps

The former Cold War adversaries have pulled off yet another notable exchange

The Independent UK · Aug 3, 2022

Russia wants 2 prisoners in swap for Americans Brittney Griner, Paul Whelan

Moscow is leaning toward rejecting a prisoner swap unless it gets two Russians in return for the two Americans the U.S. wants released, according to people familiar with the Kremlin’s thinking.

Tribune News Service · Aug 1, 2022

Who is Viktor Bout, arms dealer linked to swap for Americans held by Moscow?

The life of Viktor Bout, the Russian arms dealer jailed in the United States and linked to a possible swap for two U.S. citizens detained by Moscow, sometimes reads like a far-fetched spy thriller.

Reuters · Aug 1, 2022

US’s proposed swap for Griner and Whelan met with skepticism and fury

While some have praised the Biden administration for the deal, others are upset over the prospect of releasing Viktor Bout, nicknamed the ‘Merchant of Death’

The Guardian - US · Aug 1, 2022

Shadowy arms dealer Viktor Bout may be key to Russia's release of WNBA star Brittney Griner

WASHINGTON — Viktor Bout has long been the type of shadowy figure who inhabits spy novels, a convicted arms dealer who commanded a billion-dollar operation of aircraft fleets to supply weapons to notorious dictators, drug lords and armies fighting wars — and sometimes one another.

Los Angeles Times · Jul 30, 2022

The families of Americans who are wrongfully detained are very much done being quiet

For years, families of those held abroad have been warned that speaking out could put their loved ones in greater danger. Today, many see going public as their best card to play.

WEKU · Jul 29, 2022

US offers Russia prisoner swap for detained Americans Brittney Griner, Paul Whelan

The US has offered a deal to Russia aimed at bringing home WNBA star Brittney Griner and another jailed American, Paul Whelan, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Wednesday.

France 24 · Jul 28, 2022