A Long Ordeal Ends: Elizabeth Tsurkov, Princeton Researcher, Freed From Iraqi Captivity

After months of harrowing captivity, Princeton University researcher Elizabeth Tsurkov has been released from the clutches of an Iran-backed militia in Iraq. The long-awaited news, confirmed by both Israeli and Russian authorities, brings an end to a terrifying ordeal that began in March 2023.

Tsurkov, a prominent academic with dual Israeli and Russian citizenship, was conducting crucial field research in Baghdad on Iraqi Shiite groups when she was abducted.

Her captors were identified as Kataib Hezbollah, a powerful Iran-aligned Shiite militia operating within Iraq. The precise circumstances of her kidnapping and the motivations behind it remain partially shrouded, but her work on the complex political landscape of the Middle East likely made her a target.

The announcement of her release has been met with immense relief from her family, academic colleagues, and diplomatic circles.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office was among the first to confirm the news, acknowledging the complex diplomatic efforts involved in securing her freedom. Her sister, Emma Tsurkov, expressed profound gratitude, specifically thanking the Russian Foreign Ministry and diplomatic service for their direct intervention.

Indeed, Russia played a pivotal role in the negotiations for Tsurkov’s release.

The Russian government, through its diplomatic channels and reportedly with the involvement of the Wagner Group – a mercenary organization with significant influence in various conflict zones – brokered her freedom. This highlights the intricate geopolitical dynamics at play, given Tsurkov's dual nationality and Russia's existing relationships in the region.

Upon her release, Tsurkov's journey to freedom was multi-staged.

She was initially transported from Baghdad to Erbil, the capital of Iraq's Kurdistan region, a relatively safer area. From there, she was taken to Moscow, and finally, after months of uncertainty and fear, she arrived in Israel, where she was reunited with her family.

Tsurkov is a highly respected expert on Syria and Iraq, holding a Ph.D.

from Princeton University's Department of Politics. Her research often involved fieldwork, providing invaluable insights into the intricacies of regional conflicts and political movements. She had traveled to Iraq using her Russian passport, as Israel and Iraq do not maintain diplomatic relations, making her presence as an Israeli citizen politically sensitive.

Her previous work includes fellowships at the New America Foundation and the Foreign Policy Research Institute, and she has contributed extensively to publications such as War on the Rocks and Foreign Policy.

Her captivity was publicly acknowledged by Prime Minister Netanyahu in July 2023, who at the time stated she was being held by Kataib Hezbollah.

This public confirmation underscored the seriousness of her situation and the ongoing, behind-the-scenes efforts to secure her release. The end of this ordeal is a testament to persistent diplomatic engagement and the unwavering hope of her loved ones.