"WASHINGTON -- Syrian President Bashar Assad has the power to free Austin Tice, an American journalist who went missing while covering the war there nine years ago, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Wednesday.

Marking the anniversary of Tice’s captivity, and his 40th birthday, Blinken said he was personally committed to securing his freedom.

“He turns 40 years old today, having spent almost a quarter of his life in captivity,” Blinken said in a statement. “I am personally committed to bringing home all Americans held hostage or wrongfully detained abroad.”"

Michael Wilner reports for McClatchy August 11, 2021. [2]