VOA慢速英语:Obama Announces Changes to Hostage Policy

ransom – n. money that is paid in order to free someone who has been captured or kidnapped

tactic – n. an action or method that is planned and used to achieve a particular goal

irreparable – adj. too bad to be corrected or repaired

autonomy –n. the state of existing or acting separately from others

cowardly – adj. afraid in a way that makes you unable to do what is right or expected

disgusting – adj. so unpleasant to see, smell, taste, consider, etc., that you feel slightly sick