Competing Views on Combating Terrorism

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In The Media

Competing Views on Combating Terrorism

Guantanamo remains the most powerful recruiting tool terrorists have, and though closing the facility poses numerous challenges, it is vital for U.S. national security.

Published on May 24, 2009

Source: VOA Encounter

As the Obama administration formulates a step-by-step plan to close the Guantanamo Bay detention facility, religiously-based rehabilitation programs used by Singapore and other countries could offer a solution for detainees who can be neither charged nor tried and will thus have to be released. In his May 21 national security speech, President Obama outlined the rationale for closing Guantanamo and preliminary steps toward that goal, responding to criticism from former Vice President Cheney and others that his decision to ban enhanced interrogation techniques and close Guantanamo within a year endanger American security.

In an interview with Voice of America's Carol Castiel, Will Dobson cautions that Guantanamo remains the most powerful recruiting tool terrorists have, and though closing the facility poses numerous challenges, it is vital for U.S. national security. The president’s speech also highlighted the difficulties of translating broad policy shifts into concrete action; each detainee’s case poses unique legal and logistical questions, and despite Congressional opposition, some detainees will have to be transferred to U.S. prisons.

Political Reform Security Military North America United States Middle East

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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