(CNN)The black-clad, masked British ISIS terrorist who has taken center stage in the group's hostage videos appeared in a new video on Tuesday threatening the lives of two Japanese hostages, Kenji Goto Jogo and Haruna Yukawa. The terrorist explained that they would be executed in 72 hours if ISIS isn't paid $200 million. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe responded on Tuesday saying the treatment of the hostages was "unacceptable." ISIS had similarly demanded 100 million euros (roughly $132.5 million) in ransom for the release of James Foley, the American journalist who was killed by the terrorist group in Syria in August.
@highlight
Peter Bergen, Emily Schneider: ISIS seeking $200 million for two Japanese hostages' freedom
@highlight
Sometimes ransom works, but it can lead to more kidnapping, the writers say
In such a case, the government would simply look the other way when private donations were used to free an American hostage, as paying money to a designated terrorist organization is a crime in the @placeholder.