Austin Bennett Tice, a former Marine captain and freelance war reporter, has been missing since August 2012 after disappearing in Damascus, Syria, days following his 31st birthday. His case remains one of the most high-profile unresolved disappearances involving the Syrian conflict. A new investigative podcast series explores the circumstances of his disappearance and the persistent efforts to locate him.
The series, a joint production between British and American broadcasters, delves into Tice’s background and the ongoing search for answers. Tice traveled to Syria during his final year as a mature law student, embarking on his initial assignment as a war correspondent. The investigation is also a portrait of his mother, Debra Tice, a Texan woman described by one contributor as both determined and deeply driven by faith. For nearly 14 years, she has been a vocal advocate for her son’s return, keeping his story in the public eye and lobbying successive U.S. administrations. Presidents Barack Obama, Donald Trump, and Joe Biden have all publicly committed to efforts aimed at securing Tice’s release.
The podcast combines fast-paced storytelling with detailed investigative reporting. It follows hosts Josh Baker and Sara Obeidat as they retrace steps inside Syria amid the collapse of the Assad regime in late 2024. With unprecedented access to formerly secret intelligence facilities in the country, the journalists uncover harrowing evidence of torture, including refrigerated corpses and medical records documenting abuses. Their research benefits from a high-ranking informant who guided them to crucial documents stored in a sealed office and safe within one of Syria’s most notorious intelligence buildings.
The FBI has classified Tice’s disappearance as a kidnapping by the former Syrian government and offered a $1 million reward for information leading to his return. While his family steadfastly believes he remains alive, questions persist regarding what ultimately happened to him and where he might be held—including possibilities that extend beyond Syria to locations such as Iran. U.S. intelligence agencies have not publicly confirmed whether they know his current whereabouts.
The investigation also highlights the broader human toll of the Syrian conflict, illustrating the dangers faced by journalists and the ongoing efforts by family members and advocates to press governments to act. This unfolding story captures both the personal and geopolitical complexities surrounding Austin Tice’s case, shedding light on the challenges of uncovering truth amid chaos and secrecy.