Did The Berghdahl Swap For Five Taliban Commanders Doomed Any Chance That U.S. Aide Worker Kayla Mueller Would Be Released?

Nolan Feeney, Time: Kayla Mueller’s Family Says Bergdahl Deal Hurt Her Chance for Freedom

ISIS claims the American aid worker was killed in a Jordanian air strike earlier this month

The family of an American aid worker who died while in ISIS captivity said the prisoner swap deal that freed Army Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl from the Taliban last year hurt efforts to secure the release of their daughter.

Relatives of Kayla Mueller told NBC on Monday that her captors’ demands, which started with a $6.2 million ransom, increased after the White House exchanged five Taliban prisoners at Guantanamo Bay for Bergdahl, who had spent five years in captivity, Reuters reports.

WNU Editor: Hearing this family just breaks your heart. In my book Kayla Mueller is worth 1,000 Bowe Bergdahls any-day.

More News On Kayla Mueller’s Family Speaking Out On Their Daughter And How The Berghdahl Swap For Five Taliban Commanders Doomed Any Chance For Her Release

Parents of Slain ISIS Hostage Kayla Mueller: U.S. Rescue Bid Too Late -- NBC
Kayla Mueller's brother: Swap with Taliban raised IS demands -- AP
Family of U.S. aid worker: Bergdahl deal emboldened her captors -- Reuters
Bergdahl deal crushed hopes for Kayla Mueller, family says -- FOX News
Kayla Mueller‘s brother: Bergdahl swap dashed hopes of sister’s survival -- New York Post

President Obama Confirms That American ISIS Hostage Kayla Mueller Is Dead

Reuters: American hostage Mueller's death confirmed by Obama, family

President Barack Obama and the family of U.S. aid worker Kayla Mueller confirmed on Tuesday that the last-known American hostage held by Islamic State militants had died, with Obama promising to "find and bring to justice the terrorists who are responsible."

WNU Editor: Our prayers are with her family and loved ones.

More News On The Family And President Obama Confirming That American ISIS Hostage Kayla Mueller Is Dead

ISIS Hostage Kayla Mueller’s Death Confirmed by Photo -- Daily Beast
Death of Kayla Mueller, ISIS Hostage, Confirmed by Family and White House -- NYT
American ISIS Hostage Kayla Mueller Dead, White House Says -- ABC News
Aid Worker Held by Islamic State Is Dead, White House Says -- Bloomberg
U.S. Confirms Death of American Hostage Kayla Mueller -- WSJ
US Islamic State hostage Kayla Mueller confirmed dead -- BBC
Obama confirms death of US hostage held by ISIL -- Al Jazeera
U.S. Confirms Kayla Mueller’s Death as Western ISIS Hostages Dwindle -- US News and World Report
American ISIS hostage Kayla Mueller dead, family says -- CNN
Family of US aid worker, ISIS captive Kayla Mueller confirms her death -- FOX News
Death of American Islamic State Hostage Kayla Mueller Confirmed -- Vice News
Lawmakers condemn 'barbaric' killing of American aid worker held by ISIS -- FOX News
Swift emotional reaction online to Kayla Mueller's death -- USA Today

Update: Read the extraordinary letter ISIS hostage Kayla Mueller sent her family before her death (VOX).

U.S. Female Hostage Held By The Islamic State And Killed By Jordanian Air Strike (As Claimed By IS) Has Been Identified

This is Kayla Jean Mueller, the American female being held hostage by ISIS pic.twitter.com/MOXLjNx8aa
— Laura Walker (@LauraWalkerKC) February 6, 2015

WNU Editor: I have been holding back information on this hostage for the past few months. And while I do not know if Islamic State reports are accurate .... other sources are now publicizing who she is. A good summary on who Kayla Jean Mueller is can be read here. My thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends.

Islamic State Now Claiming That Their Female American Hostage Was Killed In Jordanian Airstrike

New York Times: ISIS Claims U.S. Captive Died in Jordanian Airstrike

Update: ISIS Claims Female American Hostage Killed in Airstrike -- ABC News

WNU Editor: The White House is aware of the reports .... but are issuing no comment. My gut is telling me that she is dead.

Imagine What The Islamic State Would Do If It Managed To Capture A U.S. Pilot

A pair of US F-15E Strike Eagles fly over northern Iraq after conducting airstrikes in Syria. (Reuters)

Michael Daly, Daily Beast: What If ISIS Captures a U.S. Pilot?

With American pilots conducting airstrikes over ISIS territory, one could suffer a mishap and end up in an orange jumpsuit getting beheaded or burned alive.

WNU Editor: In our 24/7 news universe .... the coverage will be unprecedented .... and if what happened to Jordanian pilot Muath al-Kaseasbeh should happen in the same way to a U.S. pilot .... the American public will be beyond enraged.

News And Reaction To The Murder Of Jordanian Pilot Lt. Moaz al-Kasasbeh By The Islamic State (Updated)

Daily Mail: Slaughtered for their entertainment: Crowds gather to watch the barbaric murder of Jordanian pilot on giant screens on the streets of ISIS capital... and CHEER when the airman goes up in flames

* Shocking video shows ISIS supporters gathering to watch murder video
* Big screens have been erected in terror group's de facto capital Raqqa
* Film of Moaz al-Kasasbeh being burnt alive appears to be playing on loop
* Crowd cheer and shout religious slogans as pilot is engulfed by flames
* Film then shows locals - including children - talking about the atrocity
* Chilling new release is titled 'Muslims' Joy at Burning of Jordanian Pilot'

More News And Reaction To The Murder Of Jordanian Pilot Lt. Moaz al-Kasasbeh By The Islamic State (Updated)

Jordan, shaken by Islamic State killing, executes 2 inmates -- AP
Jordan hangs two Iraqi militants in response to pilot's death -- Reuters
Jordan executes 2 prisoners after pilot burned alive by Islamic State -- Washington Post
Jordan hangs 2 terrorists, vows 'earth-shaking' response to grisly ISIS video -- FOX News
IS Kills Captive Jordanian Pilot; Amman Responds By Executing Militants -- Radio Free Europe
Jordan executes Qaeda prisoners amid calls to further avenge ISIL killing -- Al Jazeera
Jordan’s eye-for-an-eye response to the Islamic State -- Washington Post
EU chides Jordan for hangings after pilot killed -- Reuters
Islamic State 'evil must be defeated' - Jordan -- BBC
Jordan vows to step up fight against ISIS -- Al Arabiya
Pilot's father calls for Jordan to avenge son's slaying -- USA Today
Agony of parents whose son was burned alive: Murdered pilot's mother collapses and father demands 'annihilation of ISIS' - as Jordan hangs two jihadists in revenge for horror execution video -- Daily Mail
Father of murdered Jordan pilot demands revenge -- Al Jazeera
Islamic State’s Killing of Jordanian Pilot Sparks Mideast Outrage -- WSJ
Mideast Unites to Damn ‘Barbaric’ Death of Jordanian Pilot -- Bloomberg
Jordanian pilot's "obscene" burning death by ISIS sparks outrage in Mideast -- CBS/AP
22 minutes of sickening savagery: Carefully edited and highly choreographed footage that ISIS knows will horrify the West - and entice even more jihadists to their cause -- Daily Mail
ISIS knew burning Jordanian pilot alive would spark backlash in Islamic world - so prepared a list of justifications beforehand -- Daily Mail
Clerics denounce burning alive of pilot as un-Islamic -- Reuters
Is this where the pilot was torched to death? Syrian activists claim to have pinpointed location in Raqqa by identifying landmarks in execution video on aerial photographs -- Daily Mail

Reaction To The Murder Of Jordanian Pilot Lt. Moaz al-Kasasbeh By The Islamic State

Daily Mail: Jordan Announces Execution Of Six ISIS Prisoners 'Within Hours' In Retaliation After Terrorists Release Lavish Video Of Jordanian Pilot Being TORCHED To Death In A Cage In Yet Another New Low For Humanity

* Video titled 'Healing the Believers' Chests' shows brutal murder of pilot
* Moaz al-Kasasbeh is filmed being burnt alive while locked in a cage
* He was captured in December after his jet crashed over ISIS-held territory
* Jordan has confirmed pilot was brutally murdered by ISIS on January 3
* Barack Obama condemned the killing, branding it 'vicious and barbaric'
* King Abdullah II called it 'cowardly act of terror' before meeting Obama
* David Cameron said 'sickening murder' would 'strengthen our resolve'
* Jordan vowed to execute six of its ISIS-linked prisoners at dawn today
* Army spokesman said revenge will be 'as big as calamity that hit Jordan'
* Security sources said execution of failed female suicide bomber Sajida al-Rishawi likely to take place tomorrow

More News On The Reaction To The Murder Of Jordanian Pilot Lt. Moaz al-Kasasbeh By The Islamic State

Thousands gather in Jordan to demand blood: Female suicide bomber ISIS had claimed they wanted freed will be the first of six Islamist prisoners executed tomorrow -- Daily Mail
Jordan's King Promises Justice for Murdered Pilot -- Bloomberg
Islamic State shows burning of hostage, Jordan vows 'earth-shaking' response -- Reuters
Jordan Vows Revenge for Pilot's Grisly Death -- VOA
ISIL video purports to show Jordanian pilot's killing -- Al Jazeera
Jordan mourns murdered fighter pilot, vows revenge on Islamic State -- CSM
Jordan vows vengeance as pilot reportedly burned alive by Islamic State -- L.A. Times
Jordan pilot death 'will be avenged' -- BBC
Jordan threatens revenge for gruesome killing of pilot -- USA Today
Outrage follows images appearing to show ISIS hostage burned alive -- CNN
Obama, King Abdullah vow not to let up against Islamic State -- Washington Post
Obama: ISIS only 'interested in death and destruction' -- CNN
Arab celebrities mourn Jordanian pilot Mou'ath al-Kasasbeh's death at the hands of ISIS -- Al Bawaba
Jordanian pilot’s grisly execution draws world condemnation -- Toronto Star
One of the most sickening acts ever committed to film: 22 minutes of carefully edited, and highly choreographed footage that ISIS knows will horrify the West - and entice even more jihadists to their cause -- Daily Mail
U.S. hopes pilot's murder will toughen Jordan's resolve -- Reuters
ISIS' claim it executed the captured Jordanian pilot was not only barbaric but strategically foolish -- Armin Rosen, Business Insider
ISIS Execution Video Presents Grim Choice for News Media -- Ravi Somaiya, NYT
Horrific tactics will backfire on ISIS, says CIA insider -- CBS
Immolation of Jordanian pilot aims to drag us back to barbarism -- Philip Kennicott, Washington Post
4 Takeaways From the Fight Against ISIS After the Death of Jordan’s Pilot -- Aaron David Miller, WSJ

Jordanian Government: Islamic State Killed Its Pilot On Jan. 3

Reuters: Jordan says Islamic State killed its pilot on Jan. 3: state TV

WNU Editor: This probably explains why the Islamic State was mute when Jordan demanded proof last week that Jordanian Pilot Moaz al-Kasasbeh was alive .... he was already dead (ten days after his December 24 capture).

Update: Jordan has just announced the execution of six ISIS prisoners 'within hours' in retaliation for the murder of its Jordanian pilot.

New Islamic State Video Shows Captured Jordanian Pilot Moaz al-Kasasbeh Being Burned Alive In A Cage

A new video released by Islamic State militants on Tuesday purported to show the execution of First Lt. Moaz al-Kasasbeh, a Jordanian air force pilot. NYT

Al Jazeera: ISIL releases video showing killing of Jordanian pilot

WNU Editor: I have just seen pictures of the execution .... it is disturbing. The Islamic State always wants to shock .... in this case they have succeeded. There is going to be blow-back from this .... especially from Jordan.

More News On A New Islamic State Video Showing Captured Jordanian Pilot Moaz al-Kasasbeh Being Burned Alive

Purported IS video shows Jordan pilot burned to death -- AP
ISIS Said to Burn Captive Jordanian Pilot to Death in New Video -- NYT
Islamic State video claims to show burning death of Jordanian pilot -- Washington Post
Jordan army says captive pilot executed: family member -- Reuters
ISIS photos appear to show Jordanian pilot burned alive -- CNN
Reports: Islamic State burns Jordanian pilot alive -- USA Today
Isis video purports to show Jordanian pilot hostage Moaz al-Kasasbeh being burned to death -- The Independent
Jordan pilot hostage Moaz al-Kasasbeh 'burned alive' -- BBC
Profile: IS-held Jordanian pilot Moaz al-Kasasbeh -- BBC

Islamic State Murders Japanese Journalist Goto

Daily Mail: 'We have an entire army thirsty for your blood': ISIS releases new video appearing to show Jihadi John beheading second Japanese hostage

* Kenji Goto threatened with beheading in ISIS video released last Saturday
* Terror group was trying to exchange Goto for bomber Sajida al-Rishawi
* In new video fighter tells camera 'we have an entire army thirsty for blood'
* Mr Goto's body is then shown lying on desert floor in rocky gorge
* President Barack Obama has led global condemnation of apparent slaying
* Says US stands in solidarity with Japan against 'barbaric and heinous act'

More News On The Murder Of Japanese Journalist Goto By The Islamic State

Japan outraged at IS 'beheading' of hostage Kenji Goto -- BBC
Japan Mourns Goto as Caring and Courageous Reporter -- NYT/AP
Japan wakes up to bad news about Kenji Goto -- BBC
New video purportedly shows beheading of Japanese journalist by ISIS -- FOX News
‘Inhumane & contemptible’: ISIS beheads Japanese hostage Goto -- RT
Video of Japanese Journalist's Execution Appears to Be Genuine -- Sputnik
Isil militants behead second Japanese hostage -- ITAR-TASS
World leaders condemns IS beheading of Japanese journalist Goto -- Deutsche Welle
Japan outraged at IS 'beheading' of hostage Kenji Goto -- BBC
Islamic State hostage Kenji Goto mourned by family and friends -- Japan Times
Kenji Goto's mother mourns after Isis beheads her son sending shockwaves across Japan -- IBTimes

Jordan Halts Air Strikes Against The Islamic State. Awaits News On Fate Of Hostages

The Independent: Jordan 'halts air strikes' targeting Isis militants as hostage fighter pilot's fate remains unknown.

WNU Editor: Everyone is waiting for a response from the Islamic State right now .... Jordan, Japan Await News on Fate of IS Hostages (VOA). I know that the Islamic State has never executed a hostage on Friday .... but after that ....anything is possible.

Jordan Willing To Make A Deal With the Islamic State To Swap Terrorist For Captured Pilot. Fate Of Japanese Hostage Unknown

Daily Mail: Has a deal been struck with ISIS to exchange suicide bomber for hostages? Jordanian state TV says it is willing to swap terrorist for pilot after Japanese minister says journalist will be free 'within hours'

* Kenji Goto and pilot Mu'ath al-Kaseasbeh threatened with execution today
* Jordan has agreed to release Iraqi terrorist Sajida al-Rishawi for their pilot
* Efforts to release Mr Goto uncertain after Tokyo give conflicting accounts
* Mr Goto's mother pleads with Japan leader Shinzo Abe to take action
* Al-Rishawi sentenced to death for involvement in a 2005 terrorist attack

WNU Editor: No kidding .... Jordan's deal with Isil sets a dangerous precedent (The Telegraph)

More News On The Fate Of These Two Hostages Held By The Islamic State

Japan works with Jordan toward release of ISIL captives -- Al Jazeera
Japan and Jordon join forces to secure release of two of their nationals from ISIL -- Euronews
Jordan agrees to prisoner swap with ISIS in deal that could free pilot, Japanese journalist -- FOX News
IS hostages: Jordan in pilot exchange offer after Goto video -- BBC
Jordan ready to swap terrorist for pilot held by Islamic State -- CSM
Jordan Tells Islamic State It Will Swap Female Suicide Bomber for Hostage Pilot -- Vice
Jordan says it would swap terrorist for ISIS captive -- CNN
Jordan proposes prisoner swap, fate of Japanese ISIS hostage unclear -- Daily Star
Jordan Prepared to Exchange Prisoner for Pilot Held by Islamic State -- WSJ
Mother of Japanese hostage held by ISIS makes new plea amid last-minute talks -- FOX News

U.S. Special Forces Mission To Rescue Hostages Held By The Islamic State In Syria Has Failed

Photo: Military personnel perform a nighttime fast rope training exercise from MH-60L Blackhawk helicopters, piloted by soldiers from the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, in 2011. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Elisandro T. Diaz/Released)

Daily Mail: US Special Forces forced to abandon attempt to free Jordanian fighter pilot held hostage by ISIS after being shot down in Syria when their helicopters come under heavy fire

WNU Editor: This appears to be a full scale rescue attempt that had to be aborted because of discovery. I suspect that the fight must have been very intense.

More News On Rescue Attempt To Free Hostages Held By The Islamic State In Syria

Syria Isis news: US Special Forces mission to rescue Jordanian pilot fails amid intense fighting -- IBTimes
Hostage rescue mission in Isil's capital Raqqa foiled, claims group -- The Telegraph
Allies halt hostage rescue as Isis guns see off helicopters -- The Times
U.S. Attempts to Free Jordanian ISIS Hostage, Blocked Twice by Heavy Fire -- CP
Report: U.S. Special Forces Attempt to Rescue Jordanian Pilot, But Get Driven Back by ISIS -- PJ Media

Update: The U.S. is denying reports that they were involved in this rescue attempt .... Pentagon denies attempted Special Operations raid in Syria (Washington Post). If U.S. Special Forces were not involved .... and if this was a rescue attempt .... the question then begs itself .... who launched this mission?

U.S. Defends Failed Yemen Rescue Attempt (Update)

U.S. Saw Little to Lose in Yemen Rescue Attempt as Execution Neared -- Bloomberg Businessweek

The death of two hostages during a rescue attempt in Yemen shows how little room there is for bad intelligence or bad luck when U.S. forces go into action on such high-risk missions.

Faulty intelligence doomed a raid in Syria earlier this year to rescue American journalist James Foley, who wasn’t where he was thought to be and was subsequently beheaded in August by Islamic State militants. British aid worker Linda Norgrove was accidentally killed by U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan in October 2010, though the team’s initial report blamed her captors for the grenade that caused her death.

And a barking dog, by official accounts, alerted al-Qaeda fighters of approaching U.S. Special Operations forces seeking to rescue American photojournalist Luke Somers and South African teacher Pierre Korkie.

Read more ....

More News On The U.S. Failure To Rescue Two Hostages Held By Al Qaeda In Yemen

At least 13 killed in failed U.S. bid to rescue hostages in Yemen -- Reuters
How Navy SEALs Tried Rescuing al Qaeda Hostage Luke Somers -- ABC News
US Navy SEALs ‘destroyed everything’ with failed attempt to rescue Al-Qaeda hostages just a day before they were due to be released -- Daily Mail
Yemen raid: US 'unaware' hostage Korkie was with Somers -- BBC
US defends failed Yemen rescue operation -- Daily Star/AFP
Obama says Luke Somers faced ‘imminent danger -- Irish Times
Analysts: Failed rescue try was right call -- Boston Herald
US Commandos ‘Lost the Element of Surprise’ in Yemen Raid -- Gordon Lubold, Defense One

U.S. And South African Hostages Killed By Al Qaeda During A SEAL Raid In Yemen

British-Born U.S. Photojournalist Is Killed By His al-Qaeda Captors During Failed Rescue Attempt By American Commandos In Yemen -- Daily Mail

* Luke Somers, 33, was being held hostage by al-Qaeda militants in Yemen
* Reportedly shot by captors as U.S. commandos launched the operation
* He was flown to a U.S. naval ship but died from injuries before his arrival
* U.S. President Barack Obama this morning condemned killing as 'barbaric'
* Vows to 'spare no effort' in attempts to bring American hostages home
* Comes days after militants threatened to kill him on a video posted online
* His family had earlier pleaded with the militants to 'please, show mercy'
* Mr Somers was kidnapped in September 2013 in Yemen's capital Sana'a
* South African Pierre Korkie also killed during mission in Shabwa province
* The aid worker was reportedly due to be released by militants tomorrow

A British-born U.S. photojournalist and a South African aid worker held hostage in Yemen by al Qaeda were 'murdered' in a failed rescue attempt, the US defence secretary has confirmed.

American citizen Luke Somers had been held hostage since September 2013 in Yemen's capital Sana'a having moved to the country two years earlier.

The 33-year-old was reportedly shot by his captors as US commandos carried out a dramatic rescue bid in the southern Shabwa province late on Friday night.

Read more ....

More News On Al Qaeda Killing A U.S. And A South African Hostage During A SEAL Raid In Yemen

U.S., South African hostages in Yemen killed in rescue attempt -- Reuters
US hostage killed in rescue bid -- BBC
Al Qaeda Kills Hostages During SEALs Raid On Yemen, Hagel Says -- CNN
American hostage 'murdered' during failed rescue attempt in Yemen -- FOX News
U.S. Hostage, South African Slain by al-Qaeda in Rescue Effort in Yemen -- Bloomberg Businessweek
American Hostage Luke Somers Killed in Rescue Attempt -- WSJ
Luke Somers, American hostage killed in rescue attempt, remembered for wanderlust, 'kind heart' -- New York Daily News/AP
Hagel: U.S. hostage ‘murdered’ in Yemen -- Washington Post
Obama Condemns 'Barbaric Murder' of US Hostage in Yemen -- VOA
Obama justifies failed rescue of American Luke Somers in Yemen -- CSM/AP

U.S. Admits That It Failed In An Attempt To Rescue Luke Somers From His Al Qaeda Captors In Yemen

Pentagon: Mission Failed To Rescue U.S. Hostage In Yemen -- USA Today

WASHINGTON — U.S. commandos failed to rescue American journalist Luke Somers in Yemen recently because he was not at the raid site, the Pentagon acknowledged Thursday. Yemeni troops did rescue other hostages.

Rear Adm. John Kirby, the Pentagon spokesman, said in a statement that the operation included air and ground forces, but that Somers was "not present at the targeted location. Details about the mission remain classified."

Kirby said the Pentagon was announcing the raid only to "provide accurate information given that it is being widely reported in the public domain."

Read more ....

More News On The U.S. Admitting That It Failed In An Attempt To Rescue Luke Somers From His Al Qaeda Captors In Yemen

Yemen hostage: US reveals bid to rescue Luke Somers -- BBC
Pentagon confirms failed rescue mission in Yemen for hostage Luke Somers -- AP
Pentagon Says It Failed In Rescue Of American Hostage Last Month -- NPR
US Acknowledges Rescue Mission in Yemen Last Week to Rescue Luke Somers -- ABC News
Yemeni militants threaten to kill American after failed rescue attempt -- L.A. Times
Pentagon confirms failed effort to rescue al-Qaida hostage Luke Somers -- Al.com
Timeline: How US Missed the Chance to Rescue Luke Somers, American Al Qaeda Hostage -- ABC News

A Former American Hostage Describes His Treatment From The U.S. Government When he Finally Escaped From His Jihadist Captors

Matt Schrier. CBS

Former al Qaida Hostage Recounts Nightmare – Of Dealing With FBI -- McClatchy News

WASHINGTON — The only thing as bad as being tortured for months as a captive of jihadists in Syria was dealing with the U.S. government afterward, according to one former American hostage.

Matt Schrier, 36, a freelance photographer held by extremists for seven months in 2013 until he escaped, has told McClatchy that the bureaucracy he endured upon his return home was a second kind of nightmare following the months of abuse he suffered while he was a hostage.

“I never thought it would get this bad,” Schrier said.

The FBI never told his father that he had been kidnapped. It waited six months into his capture to produce a wanted poster, and only after his mother prodded. It allowed jihadist forces to empty his bank account – $17,000 – with purchases on eBay, even as the government warned hostage families not to pay ransom so as not to run afoul of anti-terrorism laws.

Read more ....

My Comment: The U.S. government is not your ally or friend .... a sobering realization for this former hostage.