Anna Corbett, whose husband, Ryan Corbett, has been held hostage in Afghanistan for over two years, recently experienced a glimmer of hope in her tireless efforts to secure his release. After traveling to Mar-a-Lago with no guarantee of a meeting, Corbett secured a discussion with incoming National Security Advisor Michael Waltz. This meeting, lasting over an hour, provided a stark contrast to her previous experiences and left her feeling deeply encouraged.

Adding to this positive development, Corbett received an unexpected phone call from President Biden, the first communication from the President in the two and a half years since Ryan's detainment. While she described Biden as "very kind" and "empathetic," the call ultimately proved "devastating" as it became clear that the administration would not be bringing Ryan home before leaving office.

Corbett's journey to Mar-a-Lago was a last-ditch effort to plead for a meeting with the President-elect, driven by the increasing urgency of her husband's situation. Ryan Corbett, who ran a business in Afghanistan, was detained by the Taliban in 2022 after returning to the country to train new employees. He has remained in custody ever since, enduring deteriorating conditions and missing countless family milestones, from graduations to hunting trips.

The White House confirmed Biden's calls to the families of Ryan Corbett, George Glezmann, and Mahmoud Habibi, all U.S. citizens unjustly detained by the Taliban. While the administration has highlighted its track record of bringing home Americans held abroad, these three cases remain unresolved. Recent reports indicate stalled negotiations between the Biden administration and the Taliban regarding a potential prisoner exchange involving a Guantanamo Bay detainee with alleged ties to Osama bin Laden.

Despite these ongoing detentions, the U.S. continues to provide substantial financial support to Afghanistan. This complex situation underscores the challenges of international relations and the desperate plight of families awaiting the return of their loved ones.