U.S. Detainee Policies and Practices: America at a Strategic Crossroad

Abstract

The President's contentious detainee policies established in the interest of national security have to some extent isolated the United States from its allies and other fledgling democracies. Have those policies also put the United States at a strategic crossroad that leads to international illegitimacy and weakened influence and effectiveness in the global war on terrorism? This paper will examine moral, legal, political, and other implications of U.S. detainee policy which may have put the United States at a strategic crossroad in winning the war on terrorism. The examination will briefly reflect on the development and importance of the conventions on humane treatment of prisoners during war; review the Bush administration's current policy on detention; analyze some of the most significant consequences of that policy; and finally suggest how America can remain on the road of legitimacy while still achieving its national security objectives.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 13, 2007
Accession Number
ADA469678

Entities

People

  • John J. Daugirda

Organizations

  • United States Army War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Human Systems
  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Civil Rights
  • Congress
  • Correctional Facilities
  • Department Of Defense
  • Geneva Conventions
  • Governments
  • Human Rights
  • International Law
  • International Relations
  • Law
  • National Security
  • Personnel Management
  • Prisoners Of War
  • Terrorism
  • Terrorists
  • United States
  • War Colleges

Fields of Study

  • Political science

Readers

  • Criminal Law
  • Strategic Security Studies