What would you look for in a kidnapping situation? This question was the theme of a discussion that I attended with a group of colleagues who work on freeing kidnapped hostages in places such Iraq or Afghanistan. I jumped into the discussion by saying “women.” Everyone looked strangely towards me with eyes full of questions.
One of my colleagues questioned my contribution to the discussion by saying, “What do you mean women? We (security experts) usually look for suspicious objects or activities including guns, weapons, shaded vans, and criminals. We don’t look for women, unless they were the victims”.
I interjected by responding, “Who would cook for the kidnapped hostages? A woman not a man. The kidnappers have to feed the hostages they are keeping and usually, women will do the cooking. If you would get these women to talk to you, then you would be in a better position to find the hostages.”
- What about catering? A colleague asked.
- Catering is not an option. Few catering businesses are available in Iraq. Moreover, it is expensive and would raise many questions if it was done on a daily basis. In Afghanistan, the option of catering is limited.
Women would also maintain the house where the kidnappers would keep the hostages. Most likely a female relative of one of the kidnappers would be responsible for cleaning the house, washing the dishes and the clothes. The hostages may not see her. However, she would know all about them.
- Would she talk to us? Another colleague asked.
- She might not talk a man, but she may talk to another woman or a female officer. Perhaps, if you would ask right away about the hostages, she would deny it. But, if you would start a conversation with her about herself and her family, she may say something about the hostage. In the Middle East it is important to be indirect.
I concluded by saying, “Security is about the things we do every day such as cooking, cleaning, and washing the dishes, not about the things we do once in a while such as buying a gun.”
My colleagues nodded, and that was my prize attending this discussion.
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