(NewsNation) —At least 40 U.S. nationals are wrongfully detained around the world, and a new report has found several structural and policy challenges within the government that are hindering efforts for their safe return to the U.S.

Among those detained: a Marine Corps veteran who fell ill in Russia, a retired ship captain who traveled to Iran for his father’s funeral and an American held in Saudi Arabia on an exit ban after posting critical opinions on social media about the kingdom.

The report draws on 35 interviews from the families of these and several other hostages and wrongful detainees, U.S. government officials and subject matter experts, according to the Foley Foundation, which published the report.

The findings reveal several inefficiencies lurking in systems designed to hel

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