United States ‘could have done more’ to save James Foley: brother

The brother of executed U.S. journalist James Foley has said that the Obama administration should reconsider its policy on terrorist negotiation.

Michael Foley and his sister have spoken out for the first time since their brother James was beheaded at the hands of ISIS militants in Syria.

“The United States could have done more on behalf of the western and American hostages over there,” Michael said in a recent interview .

“I really, really hope that Jim’s death pushes us to take another look at our approach to terrorist and hostage negotiation”.

James Foley was kidnapped near the Syria-Turkey border while covering the Syrian conflict nearly two years ago.

Michael Foley’s comments come in the wake of further evidence from The Pentagon that the Islamic State is a far more capable threat than previously thought.

“They are beyond just a terrorist group,” said Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel.

“They are tremendously well-funded. This is beyond anything we’ve seen”.

U.S. officials have so far not ruled out further action against the Islamic State.