This is The Briefing, a daily analysis of news and events from a Christian worldview.

PART I (12:26 - 12:26) The Biden Administration Sends Message of Capitulation to Evil Regimes: We Will Pay Ransom for Your Hostage Taking — And It's a Big Issue

• How Much Is an American Hostage Worth? by New York Times (Bret Stephens)
• Holding America Hostage by National Review (Noah Rothman)

PART II (19:46 - 19:46) Divorce is a Social Issue, Not a Moral One? The Argument of the Modern Age and the Justification of Sexual Misbehavior

• Love is in the air but birds are often unfaithful partners by Financial Times (Jonathan Guthrie)

PART III (25:9 - 25:9) A Transhumanist Attempts to Transcend Morality by Naturalism: Confronting the Argument That Whatever is Possible is Also Natural