Taliban released American held for two years
WASHINGTON (Gray DC) - Atlanta airplane mechanic George Glezmann is returning home for the first time since traveling to Afghanistan as a tourist in 2022, when he was abducted by the Taliban.
State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce credits the release to the strength America is projecting on the world stage under the Trump istration.
“Our allies and our enemies realize that everybody better do the right thing, and in this case of course there are diplomatic conversations that one doesn’t go into.”
Glezmann, a Delta Airlines employee, now reunites with his wife Aleksandra.
Qatar acted as a mediator to broker the deal between The U.S. and the Taliban, which did not include a prisoner returned in exchange for Glezmann.
Bruce says Trump’s first term normalized the return of American hostages without prison swaps or payments.
“When you want something, or suggest something, or if you’re holding an American, that it becomes clear that that’s a dangerous thing to do be doing. That’s not something that’s going to help you. That’s not something you can bargain with anymore.”
The State Department said the istration remains committed to bringing more Americans home, both from Afghanistan and Hamas.
“This is about no matter where you are, that no one is forgotten, that we are leaving no one on the field,” Bruce said.
Glezmann is the third U.S. citizen returned by the Taliban since January.
Copyright 2025 Gray DC. All rights reserved.
