Haven't heard any rumors. My theories are based solely on the low amount of info available. I've emailed a contact I have over there to see if he can get some info from an IP friend of mine. My theory is as stated. They guy was picked up for breaking a law. IPs let the US know. Something about him sent up a red flag - could be any number of things. We usually don't like American civilians running around without an escort simply for this reason - they end up hostages or dead and totally screw things up. We have enough to do without having to look for and/or rescue idealistic idiots who go in without any sort of plan for their protection. If this guy wanted to help, he probably should have headed north of Mosul to Irbil or Dohuk - Kurdish cities where Americans are loved. I doubt he was working for Al Queda - he's jewish. I'd like to know how his family knew he was being held. If he was allowed to use the phone, then he was most likely at a US facility, as the only way to make a call back to the US is via satelite phone. The phones at the Mosul jail are you standard type. Same goes for email. Iraqi jails basically consist of a large room with mats. Each prisoner has a wrist band with their name on it. They usually have a small - 3 man - garrison of MPs and are run by Iraqis. The MPs are there to check for US wanteds. I highly doubt this guy would be kept with local prisoners. He probably was taken to the airport for his safety. We were not to travel in groups of less than 3 vehicles because of the insurgency. Our Brigade CSM and his driver did not follow this rule and were killed the day before Thanksgiving. A lone American would be an easy target, especially in Mosul, where the US presence has drawn down. All this is assuming that he was kidnapped in Mosul.