BBC quotes Atlantic Council Director J. Peter Pham on the effect of paying ransoms in hostage negotiations: 

When payouts are made, they undermine other hostage negotiations, says J Peter Pham, the director of the Atlantic Council’s Africa Center who advises US, European and African governments.

“It’s irresponsible on the parts of these governments. It has clearly created this moral hazard and increased the desirability to terrorists of your own citizens.

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