American held in Syria for almost two years is released
By Dana Ford and Steve Almasy, CNN

(CNN) -- An American journalist held in Syria by Islamist rebels for close to two years was released Sunday.

Peter Theo Curtis, 45, is believed to have been captured in October 2012 and held by al-Nusra Front, a Syrian rebel group with ties to al Qaeda.

"My heart is full at the extraordinary, dedicated, incredible people, too many to name individually, who have become my friends and have tirelessly helped us over these many months," said Curtis' mother, Nancy Curtis. "Please know that we will be eternally grateful."

The United Nations said Curtis was handed over to U.N. peacekeepers in the Golan Heights, which is under Israeli government control, and was given a medical checkup.

Full story: http://edition.cnn.com/2014/08/24/world/meast/american-released-syria/index.html


-- CNN 2014-08-26

This is great news.

Yes, this is great. IS wants to elevate the sense of terrorizing but apparently mitigate the resolve of the west to respond militarily. Already they are re consolidating in Syria, rightly realizing being bombed is Syria is an additional hurdle the West must cross. What's more frightening then the horrific threat these people pose is their deft understanding of media and the news cycle.