…abductees at the hideout. His experience reflects one of the central features of the ransom economy: the price of a human life is negotiated like a commercial transaction. The kidnappers make a demand. The family negotiates. The amount is reduced or adjusted, and payment is made through channels often outside the forma…

…may be killed when ransoms are refused. But the alternative - a permanent, expanding ransom economy that funds insurgency and terror - is already destroying the country and will claim far more lives in the long run. Every new measure carries risks. A carefully regulated liberalisation of rifle ownership for vetted citi…