Where is Austin Tice?: The driver
Summary
This episode of "Where is Austin Tice?" investigates the journalist's final days in Syria, revealing that his abduction was a coordinated operation sanctioned by President Assad. Host Josh Baker retraces Austin's route to Damascus and identifies the driver, Hamid Abu Abade, who betrayed Austin to secure citizenship for his family. Interviews with regime insiders and the driver's family expose a surveillance plan that misidentified Austin as a spy, leading to his capture by pro-Assad militias. The story concludes with the driver's own mysterious disappearance, highlighting the complex web of…
Topics discussed
Sponsor: Cure Alzheimer's Fund
Lindsay Hamilton recalls Austin's idealism and Syria post
Austin's complex motivations and the show introduction
Sponsors: Up First, Fresh Air, Life Kit
Austin sneaks into Damascus disguised as a woman
Visiting the rebel hideout where Austin celebrated his birthday
The moment Austin gets into the taxi and disappears
Syrians return home after the fall of Assad
Sponsors: NPR Politics, Shortwave, Fresh Air
Reviewing intelligence files and identifying George Chawi
Interview with George Chawi about the driver and regime links
Identifying the driver as Hamid Abu Abade
Interview with Hamid's family and his subsequent disappearance
Abu Ali reveals the abduction was sanctioned by Assad
Credits and call for information
Sponsors: ThruLine, Wait Wait Don't Tell Me
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