The Foreign Service Journal, October 2015

14 OCTOBER 2015 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL SITE OF THE MONTH: therefugeeproject.org A source of information about the global migration patterns of those who have fled persecution, war and fear of death since 1975, the Refugee Project puts mass migrations into their political and social con- texts. The project is based on the United Nations defi- nition of a refugee: “someone who owing to a well- founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, is outside the country of his nationality, and is unable to, or owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country.” An interactive map for each of the past 40 years shows the number of refugees from almost every country in the world. The maps show both the countries refugees were leaving and the countries to which they fled. Each year several critical locations are discussed in greater detail, with short articles explain- ing the causes of the migration. The result is an arresting visual history of social and political crises, such as war, persecution, political instability and famine. Users also have access to a collection of informative external articles on countries that have experienced major refugee crises, such as Afghanistan, Bhutan, Bosnia, Cam- bodia, the Central African Republic, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Burma and Russia. —Shannon Mizzi, Editorial Intern Following the Islamic State group’s brazen release of the recorded behead- ings of freelance journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff last summer, Pres. Obama commissioned a comprehen- sive review of U.S. hostage policy. The report’s findings concluded that a “no concessions” policy does not mean “no communication.” Thus, the administration determined not only that it will allow families and third parties to negotiate with and pay ransoms to terrorist groups, but it will also facilitate those discussions when appropriate. The policy shift includes creation of a single interagency body responsible BWAG/WIKIMEDIACOMMONS Migrants crowd a platform at the Vienna railroad station on Sept.5. for managing the recovery of Ameri- can hostages; a new special envoy for hostage affairs at the State Department (Jim O’Brien was appointed on Aug. 28); and a family engagement coordinator to improve communication with victims’ relatives. Families of murdered hostages and those still being held generally wel- comed the announcement, but others expressed concern that the change will endanger more Americans. Pres. Obama made clear that no U.S. taxpayer dollars will go toward paying ransoms, the proceeds of which would inevitably bankroll terrorist operations. A New York Times report issued in July 2014 found that al-Qaida and its affili- ates had brought in roughly $125 million in kidnapping revenue since 2008, most of which was paid by European govern- ments. The Treasury Department has said that kidnapping ransoms have become the most significant source of terrorist financing. In 2003, kidnappers would have received an average of $200,000 per hostage; today’s rate is closer to $10 million. Since 9/11, more than 80 Americans have been taken hostage by terrorist organizations. According to the White House, there are currently more than 30 U.S. hostages in places ranging from