I found Ahmad Shah Habibi’s essay about his brother’s capture by the Taliban quite compelling. His situation reminded me of my father, Bob Levinson, who was taken as a prisoner in a foreign land 18 years ago—something that still haunts me, especially considering the brutal circumstances surrounding his abduction.
Ahmad’s brother, Mahmoud Habibi, holds dual citizenship in the U.S. and Afghanistan and works in civil aviation. He was deeply committed to his homeland, striving to keep the airport operational to ensure that essential supplies like food and medicine reached the war-torn country. It’s almost like he felt a calling to serve, similar to what my father sensed.
Mahmoud’s arrest by the Taliban, who have taken control of Afghanistan following the U.S. strike that eliminated al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri in 2022, is alarming. The Habibi family has mentioned numerous witnesses who can attest to Mahmoud’s detention, including some who were imprisoned alongside him. Oddly, after the U.S. government offered a $5 million reward for information regarding Mahmoud, the Taliban issued an official statement claiming they had no knowledge of him. This feels eerily familiar; it mirrors the stonewalling my family faced regarding my father’s disappearance.
When my father was “disappeared” by Iranian security guards on March 9, 2007, the regime similarly claimed ignorance about his whereabouts. They even made vague gestures to assist in locating him.
To this day, Iran maintains that they had nothing to do with his disappearance, occasionally going so far as to assert that he was never even in the country. But in March 2020, we uncovered information revealing that negligence on part of the U.S. government played a role in my father’s tragic fate.
Coming to terms with my father’s death—considered a murder by a ruthless regime—has pushed my brother and me toward advocating for others who find themselves in similar predicaments.
I’ve witnessed firsthand how hostage situations are influenced by both state and non-state actors. By 2022, when Habibi was taken, this issue had reached a critical peak, and it remains urgent today. The Taliban appears to learn from Iran, understanding how leverage works, and they will continue to capture Americans when they see opportunities. They’ve released some individuals for a fee, only to apprehend others again shortly after.
Those well-meaning Americans who desire to aid Afghanistan end up suffering alongside its people.
On a more hopeful note, President Trump and his administration seem committed to taking a firm stance against the Taliban. They’ve cut off all economic development aid to Afghanistan and halted trips for several Taliban leaders to Pakistan. Additional pressure appears to be on the horizon.
Trump appears genuinely concerned about bringing Americans home from unjust detentions, and his actions support that sentiment. His administration has successfully brought back at least 71 Americans from overseas prisons, with more likely following.
Ultimately, I hope the President continues to take strong actions to prevent future hostage situations and ensures that those wrongfully imprisoned are returned home. It’s crucial that no one else endures the nightmare my family has faced. Every day counts.
The Taliban must release every American they hold immediately. As a nation, we need to keep pushing for this. Mahmoud’s brother, his loving wife and daughter, along with all their family and friends, are anxiously awaiting his return.
Sarah Moriarty is an advocate for Americans held hostage or illegally detained abroad. She is the daughter of Bob Levinson, a former FBI agent who died in Iranian custody and is one of America’s longest-held hostages. She serves on the Advisory Board of the Foley Foundation and the McCain Institute’s Political Prisoner Freedom Initiative.
