Competing Views on Combating Terrorism

{
  "authors": [],
  "type": "legacyinthemedia",
  "centerAffiliationAll": "",
  "centers": [
    "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace"
  ],
  "collections": [],
  "englishNewsletterAll": "",
  "nonEnglishNewsletterAll": "",
  "primaryCenter": "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace",
  "programAffiliation": "",
  "programs": [],
  "projects": [],
  "regions": [
    "North America",
    "United States",
    "Middle East"
  ],
  "topics": [
    "Political Reform",
    "Security",
    "Military"
  ]
}

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.

More Work from Carnegie Europe

Commentary
Strategic Europe
European Security Strategy: In Search of a New Ambition
The EU is putting together a new security strategy to meet today’s myriad challenges. But for any proposal to be effective, the union needs to grapple with its identity and ambitions.
Pierre Vimont
Commentary
Strategic Europe
The Climate Blind Spot in Europe’s New Migration Pact
The EU’s new migration policy is not suited to today’s realities. With climate change increasingly becoming a driver of displacement, Europe needs to rethink its deterrence-focused approach.
Shana Tabak
Commentary
Strategic Europe
Taking the Pulse: Are Western Democracies Failing Free Speech?
The battle over free speech has taken center stage since U.S. Vice President JD Vance accused Europe of censorship. From travel bans to social media regulation, especially around the Israel-Palestine conflict, are liberal democratic governments weaponizing free speech?
Rym Momtaz, ed.
Commentary
Strategic Europe
In the Middle East, Europeans Bow Down to the United States
Europe seems to have accepted its sidelining in the Middle East. The EU must reassert its support for the international rules-based order and step up engagement.
Rym Momtaz
Commentary
Strategic Europe
Europe Should Not Let Nuclear Nonproliferation Die
Amid uncertainty caused by the Iran war, the global drive for nonproliferation has stalled. With Europe diplomatically marginalized and countries reassessing their nuclear options, efforts to curb the spread of nuclear weapons risk becoming irrelevant.
Jane Darby Menton

More Work from Carnegie Europe

Commentary

Strategic Europe

European Security Strategy: In Search of a New Ambition

The EU is putting together a new security strategy to meet today’s myriad challenges. But for any proposal to be effective, the union needs to grapple with its identity and ambitions.

Pierre Vimont

Commentary

Strategic Europe

The Climate Blind Spot in Europe’s New Migration Pact

The EU’s new migration policy is not suited to today’s realities. With climate change increasingly becoming a driver of displacement, Europe needs to rethink its deterrence-focused approach.

Shana Tabak

Commentary

Strategic Europe

Taking the Pulse: Are Western Democracies Failing Free Speech?

The battle over free speech has taken center stage since U.S. Vice President JD Vance accused Europe of censorship. From travel bans to social media regulation, especially around the Israel-Palestine conflict, are liberal democratic governments weaponizing free speech?

Rym Momtaz, ed.

Commentary

Strategic Europe

In the Middle East, Europeans Bow Down to the United States

Europe seems to have accepted its sidelining in the Middle East. The EU must reassert its support for the international rules-based order and step up engagement.

Rym Momtaz

Commentary

Strategic Europe

Europe Should Not Let Nuclear Nonproliferation Die

Amid uncertainty caused by the Iran war, the global drive for nonproliferation has stalled. With Europe diplomatically marginalized and countries reassessing their nuclear options, efforts to curb the spread of nuclear weapons risk becoming irrelevant.

Jane Darby Menton