Opinion

US needs to change its policy on Americans held captive abroad

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Robert Levinson
An FBI poster showing a composite image of retired FBI agent Robert Levinson of how he would look like now after five years in captivity. AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta
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Bill Nelson
Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., responds to the revelations by The Associated Press that his Florida constituent, Robert Levinson, was secretly involved in a rogue operation for the CIA, on Dec. 12. AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite
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John Kerry
Secretary of State John Kerry says the United States will continue to seek Levinson’s release, but later sidestepped questions about a report that Levinson had been working for the CIA on an unapproved mission when he vanished nearly seven years ago. AP Photo/Brian Snyder, Pool
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Vigil Held At White House To Call For Release Of American Imprisoned In Cuba
Judy Gross (L), wife of U.S. citizen Alan Gross who is currently being held in a Cuban prison, speaks during a rally at the Lafayette Park outside the White House on Dec. 3. Alex Wong/Getty Images
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US-POLITICS-GARY
Washington, DC Mayor Vincent Gray (R) delivers remarks on Dec. 3 at a rally calling for freedom for Alan Gross who has been imprisoned in Cuba for four years. Paul J. Richards/AFP/Getty Images
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Vigil Held At White House To Call For Release Of American Imprisoned In Cuba
Supporters hold signs to call on bringing home of U.S. citizen Alan Gross during a rally outside the White House on Dec. 3. Alex Wong/Getty Images
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To match Exclusive PAKISTAN-BINLADEN-DOCTOR
Pakistani doctor Shakil Afridi talks with people outside a building at an unknown location in Pakistan in this still image taken from file footage released on May 23, 2012. Reuters/Geo News via Reuters TV
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Samiullah Afridi, a Pakistani doctor who tried to help U.S. officials find Osama bin laden, leaves the court building in Peshawar
Samiullah Afridi (R), lawyer for doctor Shakil Afridi who ran a fake vaccination campaign to try to help U.S. officials find al-Qaeda chief Osama bin laden, leaves the court building in Peshawar Oct. 30. Reutes//Khuram Parvez