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The Foley Flame: Illuminating Updates
December 2025
| | OUR GRATITUDE FOR WHAT YOU ENABLE | | |
In times of change and rising threats, the Foley Foundation remains steadfast – guided by compassion, justice, and moral courage. We continue to protect the vulnerable by supporting the advocacy of families of Americans wrongfully detained and helping journalists confront dangers so they can tell the stories that matter.
Thanks to your generosity, more than thirty-four Americans returned home safely this year. Families were reunited, journalists were protected, and lives were transformed.
Behind every story is someone in need. Your support brings hope and ensures that no one faces their darkest hours alone.
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CAPTOR COUNTRY PROFILE
Venezuela: A Clear Pattern of Abuse
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As political tensions between Venezuela and the United States continue to escalate, our latest research reveals how Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro has repeatedly leveraged the wrongful detention of Americans—including 16 cases this year alone—for political gain. The data shows a clear pattern of abuse tied to periods of heightened geopolitical friction.
We urge travelers to heed official warnings and avoid all travel to Venezuela. The recent release of known American captives does not signal an improvement; in fact, current posturing between the two nations suggests the risk of wrongful detention is higher than ever.
This is also the moment for the U.S. government to enact creative and targeted deterrence mechanisms to change Nicolás Maduro’s calculus.
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HOSTAGE NEWS
Saad Almadi Released From Captivity
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Last month, the Foley Foundation celebrated the lifting of the exit ban on Saad Almadi, allowing him to return home to the United States after nearly four years of unjust captivity in Saudi Arabia.
He was detained by Saudi authorities on November 21, 2021, during a visit to see family. His alleged offense: fourteen cherry-picked social media posts made from his home in Florida over seven years. From the start, it was clear that his case was about free speech—and that Saad was innocent.
He spent 16 months wrongfully imprisoned before pressure from the Biden administration secured his release. However, his freedom was incomplete: an exit ban prevented him from leaving Saudi Arabia and returning home. For the next two and a half years, Saudi authorities continued to harass him.
Progress finally came earlier this year when his son and tireless advocate, Ibrahim Almadi, supported by the Foley Foundation, met with Dr. Sebastian Gorka at the National Security Council. Thanks to Ibrahim’s persistence and the Trump administration’s efforts, the exit ban was lifted, and Saad left Saudi Arabia almost four years to the day after his detention.
We were honored to work alongside the Almadi family in securing Saad's freedom.
| | Managing Director Lauren Walsh and Director of Safety Education Tom Durkin continue to work on developing "Reporting with Resilience," a web-based toolkit for under-resourced newsrooms, freelancers, and student newsrooms. Piloting of the toolkit's initial segment of content will take place in late Spring. | | In October, Tom Durkin and Foley Fellow Ruby Mulvaney presented at MediaFest 2025 in Washington, DC. Their sessioin at the conference covered emerging risks facing young journalists. Tom Durkin also worked with the Samir Kassir Foundation to adapt the Foundation's Safety Modules for use in 13 Lebanese university programs. | | |
To Our Valued Donors
To focus more resources on those we serve, we will no longer send printed thank-you letters. You’ll now receive email acknowledgments and semiannual mailed updates. Please confirm your email address by contacting Amy Coyne at amy.coyne@jamesfoleyfoundation.org. Thank you for enabling our mission!
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New Members Join the Foundation's Board of Directors | | Alsu Kurmasheva is an award-winning journalist and editor at Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty who was detained in Russia for more than nine months on politically motivated charges before her release in a high-profile 2024 prisoner exchange. Since then, she has emerged as a vocal advocate for press freedom, drawing on her firsthand experience to highlight the growing risks journalists face in repressive regimes. Kurmasheva also serves on the Advisory Board of the Press Freedom Center at the National Press Club. | |  | Hanna Siegel is a nonprofit leader and strategist with deep experience in journalism, public policy, and organizational growth. She spent a decade building and leading a national nonprofit and now advises major brands and institutions on strategy and narrative. Siegel also brings a personal perspective shaped by her role in negotiating the release of her family members held hostage in Gaza—experience that informs her commitment to advocacy and storytelling. | | | The James W. Foley Freedom Run - Thank You! | | |
Thanks for supporting the 11th Annual James W. Foley Freedom Run—on October 18 in Rochester, NH, on October 25 in Washington, DC, and virtually worldwide!
Because of our dedicated runners, donors, sponsors, and volunteers, we raised over $113,000! Your generosity makes a difference and we are grateful!
| | Success at the Marine Corps Marathon | | |
Thank you for generously supporting the runners of Team James Foley Foundation at the 50th anniversary of the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, DC. Thanks to you, the team raised nearly $20,000! Your support helps us advance our mission.
We are grateful for and wish to acknowledge our amazing marathon participants who went the distance: Jeanne Wolf, Richard Griffin, Eric Kelly, Thomas Durkin, Jorge Toledo, and Alejandro Figueroa. Thank you for continuing Jim’s legacy of courage and compassion.
| | As we reflect on 2025, we are deeply grateful for the positive outcomes that perseverance made possible. From new research products to advocacy milestones and moments of solidarity, your support made these achievements possible in service of those for whom we advocate. | | WHERE IN THE WORLD IS DIANE? | | |
Foley Foundation President and Founder Diane Foley spoke at the Jubilee of Consolation in Saint Peter’s Basilica, Rome. This event, organized by the Catholic Church, is aimed at providing comfort and support to those experiencing pain, suffering, and loss.
The Vatican said Diane’s speech was “a powerful testimony of faith and hope,” and also, “Diane’s journey from anger and bitterness to forgiveness and reconciliation with a member of the Islamic State who killed her son […] was a testament to the power of forgiveness and the healing that comes from it.”
| | The James W. Foley Freedom Awards -- Save the Date! | | |
The Foley Foundation invites you to share in our annual event celebrating moral courage in memory of James Wright Foley.
The Foley Freedom Awards, established in 2016, honor individuals, like Jim, who exemplify moral courage and show compassion for and commitment to securing the freedom of Americans unjustly held captive abroad and journalist safety.
The event has recognized nearly 50 awardees for their commendable work including David Bradley, Jason Rezaian, Malala Yousafzai, Roger Carstens, Christiane Amanpour and many more.
At the National Press Club, in Washington, DC on May 5, 2026, the next Awards will honor:
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James W. Foley American Hostage Freedom Award
Dr. Mohammed Al-Khulaifi
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James W. Foley World Press Freedom Award
Alsu Kurmasheva and Pavel Butorin
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James W. Foley Humanitarian Award
Bar Ben Yaakov and Matan Sivek
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Robert A. Levinson Excellence in Government Service Award
Dustin Stewart
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Bill Richardson Heart of a Patriot Award
To Be Announced
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BECOME A SPONSOR
Sponsorships support the work of the Foley Foundation and enable families of American hostages and survivors to attend the event at no cost.
Supporting the Freedom Awards is a unique opportunity to highlight your organization's support for our charitable cause with policymakers, media, and the public.
| | For more news and stories about the Foley Foundation please visit our Media Center. | | |
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