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Source: Getty

In The Media

Taming Terror

A majority of Guantanamo detainees are likely to be repatriated to their home countries because there is not enough evidence to prosecute them in the United States. Rehabilitation programs can be an effective way to reintegrate former prisoners into society.

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By Christopher Boucek
Published on May 3, 2009
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Middle East

The Middle East Program in Washington combines in-depth regional knowledge with incisive comparative analysis to provide deeply informed recommendations. With expertise in the Gulf, North Africa, Iran, and Israel/Palestine, we examine crosscutting themes of political, economic, and social change in both English and Arabic.

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Source: 60 Minutes

As the prison at Guantanamo Bay is shut down, a majority of detainees are likely to be repatriated to their home countries because there is not enough evidence to prosecute them in the United States. David Martin discusses with Christopher Boucek the "soft" approach in Saudi Arabia that has rehabilitated dozens of former Guantanamo Bay detainees.

Boucek notes that the recidivism rate among Guantanamo returnees is better than prisoners released from American jails, "the Saudis who have been repatriated thus far, to the best of my knowledge... nobody has been involved in violence..."

About the Author

Christopher Boucek

Former Associate, Middle East Program

Boucek was an associate in the Carnegie Middle East Program where his research focused on security challenges in the Arabian Peninsula and Northern Africa.

    Recent Work

  • Q&A
    Yemen After Saleh’s Return and Awlaki’s Exit

      Christopher Boucek

  • Q&A
    Rivals—Iran vs. Saudi Arabia

      Christopher Boucek, Karim Sadjadpour

Christopher Boucek
Former Associate, Middle East Program
Christopher Boucek
Political ReformSecurityMilitaryForeign PolicyNorth AmericaUnited StatesSaudi Arabia

Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.

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