Lone American P.O.W. in Afghan conflict is freed

(Image credit: REUTERS/Brian Losness)

last updated 8 January 2015

After nearly five years in captivity, the Taliban released U.S. Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl today, in exchange for five Afghan detainees, The Associated Press reports.

Bergdahl was reportedly in good condition, able to walk and expected to first transfer to Bagram Air Field, in Afghanistan, then continue on to the United States. Bergdahl's recovery "is a reminder of America's unwavering commitment to leave no man or woman in uniform behind on the battlefield," President Barack Obama said in a statement.

The lone prisoner of war from the Afghan conflict, Bergdahl was reportedly held by the militant Haqqani network in Pakistan's northwest tribal area, reports The New York Times. The circumstances of Bergdahl's capture have remained murky, but a January video showing the P.O.W. gave the American military hope that he was still alive. Qatari officials acted as intermediaries between U.S. officials and the Taliban to work out the deal.

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Sarah Eberspacher is an associate editor at TheWeek.com. She has previously worked as a sports reporter at The Livingston County Daily Press & Argus and The Arizona Republic. She graduated from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism.

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