But a more rational American policy should not be held hostage to an immediate response.

但一个更理性的美国政策不应该要求马上回答人质。

youdao

"Never again will the American taxpayer be held hostage by a bank that is too big to fail,".

VOA: standard.2010.01.21

In 1986, kidnappers in Lebanon released the Reverend Lawrence Martin Jenco, an American hostage held for nearly 19 months.

CNN: Friday,

He had been the last and the longest-held American hostage in Lebanon.

NEWYORKER: Hellhole

"The American people are held hostage to the selfish political interests of partisans on both sides, " says Hofmeister, the former Shell chief executive.

CNN: 3 bipartisan bills that could get the economy moving