American+Hikers

=American Hikers released by Iran.=

//This week, 2 American hikers were released by Iran after about 2 years in captivity in an Iranian prison. They had been taken along with a woman- released earlier along the unmarked border with Iraq and were kept on charges of espionage or spying. Mediation by the Swiss and Omani embassies in Iran seems to have secured their release. What does their ordeal say about relations between Iran and the U.S., about individual rights and human dignity, and about the risks taken by people traveling abroad?// **This discussion will run until Monday, October 3rd.**

When traveling abroad, Americans fall under the laws of the countries that they are visiting. The same applies to all who travel. In most countries, the consular section of the American Embassy serves to look out for Americans visiting and working in that country, just as foreign consulates in the U.S. do the same for their Citizens. However- the U.S. doesn't have an embassy in Iran going back to the 1979 Hostage crisis, and relies on other countries to represent us in dealings with Iran. Because of the bad politics between our two countries, individuals are at greater risk.

What do you think about this situation ? Now that it has been resolved, should America just let it go? If not- what might America do to prevent another such situation from happening with Americans in other countries that are at odds with the U.S.? What is America's responsibility to Americans traveling abroad? What responsibility falls to the individuals themselves ?

Have you ever had experiences in traveling out of the U.S. where you felt unsafe because you were an American in a foreign country? In which countries that you've traveled have you felt most welcomed ?

This was the most reported story among article reports shared in class on Monday, September 26th.