The Politics of Prisoner Abuse: The United States and Enemy Prisoners after 9/11

When states are threatened by war and terrorism, can we really expect them to abide by human rights and humanitarian law? David Forsythe's bold analysis of US policies towards terror suspects after 9/11 addresses this issue directly. Covering moral, political and legal aspects, he examines the abuse of enemy detainees at the hands of the US. At the centre of the debate is the Bush Administration, which Forsythe argues displayed disdain for international law, in contrast to the general public's support for humanitarian affairs. He explores the similarities and differences between Presidents Obama and Bush on the question of prisoner treatment in an age of terrorism and asks how the Administration should proceed. The book traces the Pentagon's and CIA's records in mistreating prisoners, providing an account which will be of interest to all those who value humanitarian law.