American Sam Goodwin Reflects on Changes After Solitary Detention by Syrian Intelligence

Sam Goodwin, an American citizen, revisited Damascus after years of being detained by Syrian intelligence, calling his recent trip "historic" after meeting President Ahmed Al-Sharrah.

In 2019, Goodwin was on a journey to visit every country worldwide. When he entered Syria as a tourist, he did not anticipate being arrested by one of the most severe branches of Syrian intelligence.

In an exclusive interview with Syria Now channel, Goodwin recalled, "The people who detained me were from Bashar Al-Assad's forces, the former Syrian president. They accused me of espionage, claiming I was an American spy collaborating with terrorists."

Goodwin detailed his ordeal: "I spent the first half of my detention in solitary confinement. During that time, I did not see any other prisoners, but I heard daily the sounds of their torture in the neighboring cells. These are sounds I will never forget as long as I live."

He added in a dramatic account, "I was subjected to torture and threatened with being handed over to ISIS."

After nine weeks of detention, international efforts secured Goodwin's release, and he transformed his experience into a message of hope.

Not only did Goodwin survive, but he also earned a master's degree and a doctorate focusing on the Syrian conflict. He authored a book titled "Saving Sam," which recounts the details of his captivity.

Regarding his book, he said, "My sister's roommate at university managed to find a way to secure the release of an American hostage held in the Middle East. To learn how that happened, you need to read the book."

In July 2025, Goodwin met President Ahmed Al-Sharrah in New York, received an invitation to visit Damascus, and accepted it, returning accompanied by his wife.

About his recent visit, Goodwin stated, "In the solitary confinement cell, I felt a closeness to God I had never experienced before."

He concluded his story by saying, "My return to Syria does not mean forgetting the past; it is about refusing to let fear write the final chapter of the story."