Iraq’s Kata’ib Hezbollah frees Israeli-Russian hostage | Win for Trump or major strategic setback?

An Israeli-Russian researcher and Princeton student, Elizabeth Tsurkov, has been freed by Iraq after two years of captivity. U.S. President Donald Trump announced her release on Truth Social, confirming she is now safe at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. Iraqi PM Mohammed Shia al-Sudani also confirmed the development, while Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu personally called her family, praising “great efforts” behind the breakthrough. Tsurkov was abducted in Baghdad in March 2023, reportedly by Iran-backed Kata’ib Hezbollah. There are speculations that her release was tied to the U.S.–Iraq negotiations over American troop withdrawal and even a possible prisoner swap involving an IRGC officer earlier this year.