Hostage rescues are extremely risky. But that doesn't mean we should stop them.

Paying ransoms is an even riskier proposition

Navy
(Image credit: (John Moore/Getty Images))

As the eyes of the world turn to Sydney, Australia, and the developing hostage situation there, the killing of two hostages last week in Yemen is still front of mind.

The failed rescue attempt and subsequent deaths of American journalist Luke Somers and South African aid worker Pierre Korkie from al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) terrorists has spurred a widespread call for the United States to revisit its refusal to pay ransoms to secure the release of hostages.

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