Uploaded January 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
And how the US is fighting back.
đ Most news keeps you in a bubble. Syft reads trusted sources from every country and language so you see the whole story, not just one version. Download for free on IOS or Android: https://syft.ing/0/z88m53sbh2dn
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Hostage-taking is backâbut this time, itâs governments doing the kidnapping. This video explains how prisoner swaps have become a quiet weapon of modern geopolitics, and why trading hostages is shaping a new kind of Cold War.
Welcome to Search Party!
Search Party is a new, independent, video news show that combines experienced journalism and visual design to decode the most complex stories in international sports and geopolitics.
Subscribe and turn on notifications đ so you don't miss any videos: youtube.com/@SearchParty
Become a Search Party Original member today: youtube.com/channel/UC7KbIaEOuY7H2j-cvhJ3mYA/join
Check out our other channels:
Johnny Harris: youtube.com/@johnnyharris
Christophe Haubursinâs Tunnel Vision: youtube.com/@christophe
All the music for this video was created by our in-house composer Tom Fox and is available to license or just to listen to on our music channel: youtube.com/@tomfoxcatalog
About:
Search Party is led and produced by Sam Ellis, a journalist, director, editor, and animator based in New York City. For more than 6 years, Ellis produced the hugely popular video series, Vox Atlas, for which he earned an Emmy nomination. He specializes in breaking down the most complex new stories and presenting them with a refreshing, accessible, and engaging visual style.
Heâs produced explainers on some of the worldâs thorniest geopolitical stories; from corruption scandals in Latin America, conflict in the Middle East, and the rise of China, to the world of sports; the Monaco Grand Prix, the FIFA corruption scandal, and the 100-foot waves of NazarĂ©, Portugal. Ellis has also directed multiple episodes of TV; notably on Netflixâs âExplainedâ and HBO Sportâs âLevel Playing Fieldâ.
Got story ideas or tips? Reach out to the team at:
Twitter: twitter.com/swellis_
Email: sam@searchparty.ch
And how the US is fighting back.
đ Most news keeps you in a bubble. Syft reads trusted sources from every country and language so you see the whole story, not just one version. Download for free on IOS or Android: https://syft.ing/0/z88m53sbh2dn
Join Newpress, our community-driven hub for creator journalism: newpress.com/start
Hostage-taking is backâbut this time, itâs governments doing the kidnapping. This video explains how prisoner swaps have become a quiet weapon of modern geopolitics, and why trading hostages is shaping a new kind of Cold War.
Welcome to Search Party!
Search Party is a new, independent, video news show that combines experienced journalism and visual design to decode the most complex stories in international sports and geopolitics.
Subscribe and turn on notifications đ so you don't miss any videos: youtube.com/@SearchParty
Become a Search Party Original member today: youtube.com/channel/UC7KbIaEOuY7H2j-cvhJ3mYA/join
Check out our other channels:
Johnny Harris: youtube.com/@johnnyharris
Christophe Haubursinâs Tunnel Vision: youtube.com/@christophe
All the music for this video was created by our in-house composer Tom Fox and is available to license or just to listen to on our music channel: youtube.com/@tomfoxcatalog
About:
Search Party is led and produced by Sam Ellis, a journalist, director, editor, and animator based in New York City. For more than 6 years, Ellis produced the hugely popular video series, Vox Atlas, for which he earned an Emmy nomination. He specializes in breaking down the most complex new stories and presenting them with a refreshing, accessible, and engaging visual style.
Heâs produced explainers on some of the worldâs thorniest geopolitical stories; from corruption scandals in Latin America, conflict in the Middle East, and the rise of China, to the world of sports; the Monaco Grand Prix, the FIFA corruption scandal, and the 100-foot waves of NazarĂ©, Portugal. Ellis has also directed multiple episodes of TV; notably on Netflixâs âExplainedâ and HBO Sportâs âLevel Playing Fieldâ.
Got story ideas or tips? Reach out to the team at:
Twitter: twitter.com/swellis_
Email: sam@searchparty.ch
