Where is Austin Tice?: The video
Summary
This episode of *Embedded* investigates the 2012 disappearance of journalist Austin Tice in Syria, using open-source intelligence to prove his hostage video was filmed in regime-controlled areas rather than rebel territory. Reporter Josh Baker travels to the specific locations to verify the footage, revealing it was likely staged by Luna al-Shibul, a key figure in President Assad’s media office. The story explores how the regime used Tice to frame rebels as terrorists and suggests that Tice may have been killed because he witnessed Luna filming him, threatening to expose the propaganda oper…
Topics discussed
Introduction: The risk of war reporting and Austin Tice
The 2012 video: Austin Tice held by gunmen
Deborah Tice's reaction and the search for clues
OSINT analysis: Locating the filming site in Syria
Inconsistencies: Why the video suggests regime custody
Field investigation: Visiting the first location in Lebanon
Confirming the second location and regime control
Episode credits and sponsor announcements
Identifying Luna al-Shibul: The regime media figure
Luna's background: Al Jazeera anchor and spy
Bashar al-Assad's rise and the collapse of his image
Luna's role in the regime's propaganda war
Sponsor announcements: Shortwave and Fresh Air
Luna's close relationship and alleged affair with Assad
Luna admits to filming the Austin Tice video
The fatal mistake: Austin seeing Luna's face
Luna's death and the ongoing search for Austin
Credits and production team acknowledgments
Sponsor announcements: TED Radio Hour and Wait Wait
Listen ad-free on Castria