Elizabeth Tsurkov, a Russian-Israeli doctoral student at Princeton, is recovering in Israel after enduring over two years of captivity and brutal torture at the hands of an Iranian-backed militia in Iraq. Kidnapped while researching social movements in Baghdad, Tsurkov was subjected to severe physical and psychological abuse, including torture techniques known locally as ta'aliq and akrab, as well as sexual assault. Her ordeal began when her captors discovered her Israeli identity, leading to intensified torture and a massive ransom demand. After months of solitary confinement and international pressure, she was released and is now focused on healing and resuming her academic work. Tsurkov's experience sheds rare light on the operations of Iraqi militias, their ties to regional powers, and the dangers faced by researchers in conflict zones.