Steven Sotloff is the 9th journalist murdered in Syria since 2012
Early Wednesday, the White House confirmed what almost everybody expected: The video released by Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) militants on Tuesday purporting to show the murder of U.S. journalist Steven Sotloff is authentic.
"Whatever these murderers think they achieve by killing innocent Americans like Steven, they have already failed," President Obama said in Estonia at a press conference with President Toomas Hendrik Ilves. The executions of Sotloff and fellow American journalist James Foley merely "stiffen our resolve to take the fight" to ISIS, Obama added. "We will not forget.... Our reach is long."
Sotloff is the second journalist murdered in Syria this year, but he's the ninth murdered there since 2012, according to a tally by the Committee to Protect Journalists. None of the other seven murdered reporters and cameramen— four in 2012 and three in 2013 — were American; six were Syrian and the seventh, freelancer Yasser Faisal al-Jumaili, was from Fallujah, Iraq.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
In all, at least 74 journalists have been killed in Syria since 2011, according to CPJ's count, three-quarters of them killed in combat or crossfire. The lives of these journalists aren't worth intrinsically more than the other 190,000 people killed in Syria's bloody civil war. But their deaths are a reminder that war journalism is dangerous, and an important enough endeavor that Sotloff, Foley, and the others though it worth risking their lives to pursue.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
7 drinks for every winter need possible
The Week Recommends Including a variety of base spirits and a range of temperatures
By Scott Hocker, The Week US Published
-
'We have made it a crime for most refugees to want the American dream'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Anya Jaremko-Greenwold, The Week US Published
-
Was the Azerbaijan Airlines plane shot down?
Today's Big Question Multiple sources claim Russian anti-aircraft missile damaged passenger jet, leading to Christmas Day crash that killed at least 38
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
British warship repels 'largest Houthi attack to date' in the Red Sea
Speed read Western allies warn of military response to Iranian-backed Yemeni rebels if attacks on ships continue
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
Houthi rebels claim Red Sea ship attacks
speed read Iran-backed Yemeni group vows to escalate aggression towards Israel-linked vessels in revenge for Gaza war
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Israel plans next phase of Gaza war as first hostages released
Speed read After four-day ceasefire 'we will not stop' until destruction of Hamas, says Israel
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Mob storms Russian airport 'looking for Jews'
Speed Read Plane from Israel surrounded by rioters chanting antisemitic slogans after landing in Russia's Dagestan region
By The Week UK Published
-
Tuberville's military promotions block is upending lives, combat readiness, 3 military branch chiefs say
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Ukraine's counteroffensive is making incremental gains. Does it matter in the broader war?
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
US commissions first-ever Navy ship in a foreign port
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
British spy chief, Wagner video suggest Prigozhin is alive and freely 'floating around'
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published