Elizabeth Tsurkov
Princeton PhD candidate and researcher focused on Middle East politics who was held captive by an Iranian-backed militia in Iraq and is the subject of this episode.
Top 3 podcasts with Elizabeth Tsurkov
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Mar 9, 2026 • 42min
Elizabeth Tsurkov: Surviving 900 Days as a Hostage
Elizabeth Tsurkov, a Princeton‑affiliated researcher who survived over 900 days in captivity in Iraq, recounts her abduction, torture, and how she used hidden “breadcrumbs” in forced confessions to signal intelligence agencies. She describes being coerced into writing geopolitical analysis for her captors, their reactions to October 7, and contrasting U.S. approaches to hostage recovery.
Jan 28, 2026 • 1h 11min
Lawfare Daily: Elizabeth Tsurkov on Her Captivity in Iraq
Elizabeth Tsurkov, a Princeton PhD candidate who was held 903 days by an Iranian-backed militia, recounts her captivity and how humor helped her survive. She describes militia incompetence, being lured and seized, observing captors’ psychology after October 7, and how U.S. and other governments responded to secure her release.
Dec 9, 2025 • 56min
Freed hostage Elizabeth Tsurkov: 'I survived months of torture in Iraq – I won't be silenced in Israel'
In a powerful conversation, Elizabeth Tsurkov, a Russian-born Israeli researcher and activist recently freed from captivity in Iraq, shares her harrowing experiences and insights. Despite torture, her commitment to human rights endures amid a changing Israeli landscape. She navigates politics in Iraq, denouncing militia control and corruption while reflecting on U.S. policy shifts and the aftermath of the Assad regime. Tsurkov discusses her recovery and future plans, emphasizing the importance of speaking out about human rights abuses.
