The premise that autocrats use terrorists to plunder free speech might be obvious. Or in your reality it might not matter, or it’s desired or even expected. In any case, it merits consideration.
This opinion is not to detract from the joy that ‘hostage diplomacy’ was able to free Danny Fenster. But hostage diplomacy has a sinister downside. Terrorism is increasingly at the disposal of autocratic forces, around the world and at home. Hostage diplomacy is an insidious enabler of autocracy. The US uses it in flip-flop fashion similar to who is or isn’t above the law. It’s another world trend in the erosion of democracy.
Detroit and Michigan keep showing up as important in the battle over social-political issues. Danny’s story is another Motor City marker. Danny was taken hostage as he tried to return home from Myanmar last year. Myanmar used to be known as Burma; it’s a country that features political turmoil. The New Yorker just published this fine article chronicling Danny’s vexing story. Thank goodness he is home.
Danny is a journalist who is actually from Oakland County, across Eight Mile from Detroit. His town is the next over from my own. My life partner and Danny’s mother know each other from the local nursing practice. We saw Danny’s parents in the community and had empathy for the situation they experienced while he was in captivity. We would walk home from downtown and see the occasional ‘Free Danny Fenster’ sign. It is hard to fathom the traumatic effects this had on Danny and his family. In these difficult social political times, it seemed doubtful he would be freed. That he gained release is a testimonial to the Jewish community that stuck together to make it happen.
Respond to the Ongoing Plunder of Free Speech
Terrorism has refined its symbiotic relationship with autocracy; terrorism functions as a ready dependable tool for extremist forces. So, it’s no longer random wanton acts for ill-defined ends. The plunder of free speech is one of autocracy’s goals and uses of terrorism. In the Fenster case, terrorists abducted him at the behest of recently installed autocrats. Negotiating with these autocrats had the detrimental side effect of legitimizing them.
The plunder of free speech is getting more open and aggressive. The US is ramping up its oppression of basic rights both internally and on the world stage. If trends aren’t stymied, it could become a modern-day version of WWII France where folks had to hide to listen to the radio.
This is one of those easier-said-than-done challenges. But, at a minimum, we must push the US Congress to promote free speech and stop the embrace of autocracy.