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Wednesday, Jan 21, 2026
Outside the box.
Taliban Confirms Release of Two Americans in Prisoner Exchange with the US
Two Americans freed as part of a swap with the Taliban for a narcotics and terrorism convict.
In a notable development, two American citizens have been released by the Taliban in Afghanistan as part of a prisoner exchange with the United States.
The exchange involved Khan Mohammed, a Taliban associate convicted in 2008 and serving life sentences in California on charges of drug trafficking and aiding terrorism, who was sent back to Afghanistan.
The exchange follows the transfer of power in the United States from President Joe Biden to returning President Donald Trump.
The Taliban, in a statement from its Foreign Ministry in Kabul, stated that the swap was a step towards the 'normalisation' of relations between Afghanistan and the United States.
Among the Americans released is Ryan Corbett, whose family confirmed his freedom.
Corbett, who was residing in Afghanistan with his family during the fall of the U.S.-backed government in 2021, was detained by the Taliban in August 2022 during a business trip.
In a public statement, his family expressed gratitude to both former President Biden and President Trump for their roles in securing his release.
They also credited Qatar for facilitating his return and assisting during his detention.
The identity of the second American, reported by outlets like CNN and The New York Times as William McKenty, remains largely unknown, with no further details on his activities or whereabouts prior to his release.
Khan Mohammed, aged 55, was previously detained and transferred to the United States following a battlefield encounter in Afghanistan's Nangarhar province.
The U.S. Justice Department labeled him as a "violent jihadist and narcotics trafficker" with intentions to target U.S. soldiers using rockets.
His conviction was the first under U.S. narco-terrorism laws.
Recently, the Bureau of Prisons listed Mohammed as not in their custody, and Afghan officials confirmed his return to his family.
Reports indicate that before leaving office, President Biden's administration was negotiating to free other Americans detained in Afghanistan, including George Glezmann and Mahmood Habibi, in exchange for Muhammad Rahim, who remains a detainee at Guantanamo Bay.
The U.S. and Taliban have not confirmed Habibi's or Glezmann's continued incarceration.
In response to the prisoner swap, the Taliban commended the 'long and fruitful negotiations' with the United States.
The group views the exchange as an example of how dialogue can resolve issues, hoping it will aid in improving bilateral relations amidst Afghanistan's ongoing economic struggles.
Official comments from Washington regarding this exchange were not forthcoming immediately following the presidential inauguration, which took place the day before the swap.
The exchange involved Khan Mohammed, a Taliban associate convicted in 2008 and serving life sentences in California on charges of drug trafficking and aiding terrorism, who was sent back to Afghanistan.
The exchange follows the transfer of power in the United States from President Joe Biden to returning President Donald Trump.
The Taliban, in a statement from its Foreign Ministry in Kabul, stated that the swap was a step towards the 'normalisation' of relations between Afghanistan and the United States.
Among the Americans released is Ryan Corbett, whose family confirmed his freedom.
Corbett, who was residing in Afghanistan with his family during the fall of the U.S.-backed government in 2021, was detained by the Taliban in August 2022 during a business trip.
In a public statement, his family expressed gratitude to both former President Biden and President Trump for their roles in securing his release.
They also credited Qatar for facilitating his return and assisting during his detention.
The identity of the second American, reported by outlets like CNN and The New York Times as William McKenty, remains largely unknown, with no further details on his activities or whereabouts prior to his release.
Khan Mohammed, aged 55, was previously detained and transferred to the United States following a battlefield encounter in Afghanistan's Nangarhar province.
The U.S. Justice Department labeled him as a "violent jihadist and narcotics trafficker" with intentions to target U.S. soldiers using rockets.
His conviction was the first under U.S. narco-terrorism laws.
Recently, the Bureau of Prisons listed Mohammed as not in their custody, and Afghan officials confirmed his return to his family.
Reports indicate that before leaving office, President Biden's administration was negotiating to free other Americans detained in Afghanistan, including George Glezmann and Mahmood Habibi, in exchange for Muhammad Rahim, who remains a detainee at Guantanamo Bay.
The U.S. and Taliban have not confirmed Habibi's or Glezmann's continued incarceration.
In response to the prisoner swap, the Taliban commended the 'long and fruitful negotiations' with the United States.
The group views the exchange as an example of how dialogue can resolve issues, hoping it will aid in improving bilateral relations amidst Afghanistan's ongoing economic struggles.
Official comments from Washington regarding this exchange were not forthcoming immediately following the presidential inauguration, which took place the day before the swap.
