Rescuing Captured Americans via Fringe Diplomacy: A conversation with Mickey Bergman

Mickey Bergman, now the CEO of Global Reach, worked closely with the late Governor of New Mexico and U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Bill Richardson, to rescue Americans (and others). Their successes earned them two nominations for the Nobel Peace Prize. Mickey is the author of "In the Shadows: True Stories of High-Stakes Negotiations to Free Americans Captured Abroad." In their conversation, Jim and Mickey discuss the motivation that leads Iran, Russia and North Korea to take prisoners and the strategies Mickey and his associates follow to secure their release. They also discuss why the negotiations for the release of former U.S. Marine, Paul Whelan, has been especially disheartening and difficult. Mickey explains the reasons for his belief that is unlikely there will be any movement until after the U.S. presidential election this November.