Austin Tice Case at Year 13

The National Press Club and Press Freedom Center annually mark the day of Austin Tice’s abduction to keep his case at the forefront of public attention and to maintain pressure on those with the power to bring him home. This longstanding effort is carried out in close partnership with the Tice family, who use this moment each year to reflect on what has passed and prepare for what lies ahead.

These commemorations have taken many forms, from intimate gatherings to panel discussions. Until now, however, the Press Club and its Press Freedom Center have never convened a full-day conference dedicated solely to Austin’s case. That was due in large part to the limited availability of reliable public information.

Following the fall of Damascus in late 2024, the landscape changed. New details about Austin’s case have come to light, offering the public a more complete understanding than ever before. At the same time, a parallel surge of misinformation and disinformation has emerged, threatening to obscure the truth. This year’s event is designed to confront that head-on, to clarify what is known, and to challenge the false narratives that continue to circulate.

Leaders in domestic and foreign government, journalism and academia, as well as the Tice family, will help attendees understand what has happened in Syria over the past year and how that has changed the United States’ regional policies and decisions, and therefore the United States’ strategy towards freeing Austin.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS: 

9-930: Coffee and light breakfast.

9:30-1030: Plenary Session with Debra Tice.

10:30-1130: What has happened in Syria since the fall of Assad and how has that impacted Austin's situation? With Eva Filipi (former Czech Ambassador to Damascus, via Zoom); Nizar Zakka (President of Hostage Aid, via Zoom); David Lesch (writer and professor) and others. Moderated by Bill McCarren. 

12-12:30pm: Keynote address by a senior government official.

12:30-2pm: Piecing together Austin’s story through declassified information. With Debra Tice, Erik Sunde, and others. Moderated by Bill McCarren. 

2-330: Who is Bassam Hassan? With Nizar Zakka (via Zoom) and others. Moderated by Bill McCarren. 

3:30- 4:45: Journalism and Austin Tice. With Clarissa Ward (CNN), Gareth Browne (The Economist, via Zoom), Sonia Smith (Texas Monthly), and Josh Baker (BBC). Moderated by Bill McCarren.

4:45: Summary of the day's findings and conclusion.

5-6: Cocktail reception