BBC Says Assad Approved Abduction of U.S. Journalist Austin Tice

A BBC investigation published Sept. 17, 2026 found U.S. journalist Austin Tice's August 2012 seizure near Damascus was planned for more than a month. Former paramilitary member Abu Ali — a fighter outside the regular army — claims security chief Bassam al-Hassan called Bashar al-Assad, who replied 'Bring him to us.' Tice, then 31, was reporting for the Washington Post.