TVNewser caught up with NBC’s chief foreign correspondent Richard Engel, who is filing a series of reports this week for NBC News programs from the Syrian town of Kobane, a symbol of the U.S.-led fight against ISIS in Syria and Iraq. “It continues to be the most dangerous, unpredictable war I’ve covered,” Engel tells TVNewser. “In this case, however, everyone on our team felt the risk was worth the trip because what’s happening in Kobane is critical to understanding the U.S. strategy in the war on ISIS. It is also an amazing story of people standing up to a vicious enemy.”
One of those people is a 26-year-old female Kurdish fighter, Viyan Peyman, who is fighting to defend Kobane from ISIS. Her story is rich and human, but as with every person in Syria, there is intense risk anytime an American journalist ventures into the warzone and starts asking questions. “We felt comfortable with our contacts,” said Engel. “It takes time to build those relationships. No one just should pack a bag, grab a camera and go to Syria.”
After several days embedded with a group of Kurdish fighters in Kobane, Engel and his crew have safely returned to Turkey. We asked about the logistics of making such dangerous reporting trips, and how he avoids kidnapping or violence.
“You will always stand out,” Engel said. “Journalists can grow beards. They can dress in local clothing and wear colorful scarves, but inevitably you will be noticed. The most important thing is having a plan to get in and out of where you are going, knowing what you want, and leaving as soon as you have it.”
Engel’s stories have already aired on “NBC Nightly News” and NBC’s “Today.” Tonight’s report on “Nightly” focuses on Peyman, who is also an aspiring folk singer when she isn’t fighting to defend Kobane.
Engel tells us finding stories like Peyman’s come from experience, and being very, very careful. “You need to be close to understand what’s going on and being on the frontlines isn’t always the most dangerous place. It is far more dangerous to be careless about the company you keep and staying too long in a hostile environment.”
Engel will have an hour-long special on MSNBC this Friday at 9pmET, “Richard Engel Reporting: The Battle Against ISIS.”