Richard Engel of NBC Is Released in Syria | The New York Times

“The identities of the kidnappers and their motives were unknown. … Mr. Engel has worked for NBC since May 2003, two months into the Iraq war. He was promoted to chief foreign correspondent in 2008.” http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/19/business/media/richard-engel-of-nbc-is-released-in-syria.html?\_r=0\\ Also see: Patrick Cockburn: Descent Into Holy War | Counter Punch

“The video underlines a startling contradiction in the policy of the US and its allies. In the past week, 130 countries have recognised the National Coalition of Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces as the legitimate representatives of the Syrian people. But, at the same time, the US has denounced the al-Nusra Front, the most effective fighting force of the rebels, as being terrorists and an al-Qa’ida affiliate. Paradoxically, the US makes almost exactly same allegations of terrorism against al-Nusra as does the Syrian government.”