New: Biden Calls on Syria to Free Austin Tice

US officials, family silent on any talks with Syria to free the missing journalist, nurturing faint hopes his release might be in the works.

Austin Tice (family photo)

UPDATE: President Biden on Wednesday called on Syria to “immediately” release Austin Tice, the freelance journalist and former U.S. Marine who disappeared there in 2012 and who the administration insists is being held by the Syrian government. The statement comes on the 12th anniversary of Tice’s Aug. 14 disappearance in Daraya…