Nick Schifrin reports that nearly 60 Americans are currently believed to be held overseas, with the State Department identifying 90 percent of them as wrongfully detained. The responsibility for securing their release often falls on various American government officials. However, when families of hostages seek additional support or the foreign government is not effectively communicating with US authorities, Mickey Bergman and his team step in to assist. They have intervened in situations in North Korea, Myanmar, and Moscow, working alongside the late Governor Bill Richardson to bring Americans back home. One of their successful cases was the negotiation that led to the release of Brittney Griner.
During a recent interview with Nick Schifrin on the “NewsHour,” Mickey Bergman expressed his gratitude for being invited to share his experiences. He highlighted the importance of having advocates like himself who can navigate sensitive negotiations with foreign governments to secure the release of wrongfully detained Americans. Bergman’s work has been instrumental in reuniting several individuals with their families, demonstrating the impact of strategic and high-stakes diplomacy on international relations. Through his book “In the Shadows: True Stories of High-Stakes Negotiations to Free Americans Captured Abroad,” Bergman hopes to shed light on the challenges and successes of negotiating with foreign authorities for the freedom of captured Americans.
Mickey Bergman’s work as a diplomat has been critical in securing the release of wrongfully detained Americans from hostile countries around the world. His team works tirelessly behind closed doors to communicate with foreign governments and negotiate for their safe return home. In an interview with Nick Schifrin, Bergman discussed how he has used his expertise in high-stakes diplomacy to bring several individuals back home safely.
One successful case that Bergman mentioned was his role in negotiating Brittney Griner’s release from Russia. Griner had been arrested and charged with drug trafficking after she accidentally brought a vial containing cannabis oil into Russia while competing at a track meet.
Bergman’s book “In the Shadows” documents his experiences working as a diplomat, including some of his most successful cases where he secured releases for American citizens who were wrongfully detained abroad.
Overall, Mickey Bergman’s work is critical in ensuring that American citizens who are wrongfully detained abroad are able to return home safely and swiftly. His expertise in high-stakes diplomacy has proven time and again that even against all odds, it is possible to secure releases through strategic negotiations with foreign governments.
As an advocate for justice and human rights, it is clear that Mickey Bergman’s work is crucial in promoting peace and stability across borders. His commitment to freeing wrongfully detained Americans serves as an inspiration for us all, reminding us that no matter how difficult or seemingly impossible it may seem at times, there is always hope for a brighter future if we work together towards common goals.
In conclusion, Nick Schifrin reports that nearly 60 Americans are currently believed to be held overseas, with 90 percent identified as wrongfully detained by American authorities. These citizens rely on government officials who can navigate sensitive negotiations with foreign governments like Mickey Bergman and his team have done successfully over many years
