German Archeologist Held Hostage in Iraq

Susanne Osthoff, a 43-year-old German archeologist, has been kidnapped in northern Iraq. Osthoff, who speaks fluent Arabic and has converted to Islam, disappeared on November 25, several months after first being warned by American authorities that she was a potential abduction target. Osthoff was working in Iraq to witness the looting of Iraqi historical sites and gather information about the destruction of ancient sites. It is thought that she was kidnapped to put pressure on the German government to cease cooperation with the Iraqi government and American forces. Osthoff is married to a Jordanian and has one daughter. (via Archaeology)