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Attempting to understand: an intermediary’s perspective Terry Waite interview (2005) Waite describes his attempts to understand and engage hostage-taking groups, especially Hizbollah-connected groups in Lebanon, where he was himself taken captive. Waite’s approach as a humanitarian was to seek face-to-face meetings with the hostage takers, build up trust and explore root issues of why they were doing what they were doing, guided by educated intuition and sensitivity. This was made especially difficult for Waite in Lebanon during the civil war because of the secrecy of the hostage-takers and the secret political agenda of elements of the US government. Waite’s recommendations include: work with a debriefing team (one that maintains absolute discretion); take the time to establish contact with key decision-makers in the group you are engaging; and withdraw from jobs you are not best equipped for.
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