Trump Secures Release of American Citizen in Afghanistan During Biden Administration

Trump Secures Release of American Citizen in Afghanistan During Biden Administration

Washington, March 20, 2025: Former President Donald Trump has successfully facilitated the release of U.S. citizen George Glazeman from a Taliban prison in Afghanistan, more than two years after his detention. Glazeman, who was detained while traveling in Afghanistan in December 2022, was freed last Thursday. His release marks the third American citizen to be freed from Taliban custody since January 2023, with all releases occurring through Qatar's mediation efforts.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio described Glazeman's release as a "positive and constructive step" and expressed gratitude for Qatar's "extremely important" role in securing his freedom. He further stated, "After more than a year and a half of captivity in Afghanistan, Delta Airlines mechanical engineer George Glazeman is on his way to reunite with his wife, Alexandra."

Glazeman's release is part of the 2020 agreement between the Trump administration and the Taliban, though there was no prisoner exchange tied to his release. It has been described as a "humanitarian initiative."

In addition, Rubio mentioned that several other American citizens remain detained by the Taliban, including Afghan-American businessman Mahmoud Habibi, although the Taliban has denied his detention.

While the Trump administration has not clearly outlined its future policy for engaging with the Taliban government, Trump has consistently criticized the Biden administration's handling of the U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan.