The Wound

On Tuesday, President Obama effectively summarized why Guantanamo Bay, where 166 presumed terrorists are currently being detained, should be closed as soon as possible. Unfortunately, dozens of men will probably still be imprisoned by the time Obama leaves the White House.

“It is critical for us to understand that Guantanamo is not necessary to keep America safe,” said Obama at a press conference. “It is expensive. It is inefficient. It hurts us, in terms of our international standing. It lessens cooperation with our allies on counterterrorism efforts. It is a recruitment tool for extremists. It needs to be closed.”

In addition, the detention of individuals for several years, without trial, constitutes a gaping wound, which Obama pointed out is “contrary to who we are, it’s contrary to our interests, and it needs to stop.”

On his second day in office, Obama issued an order to close the detention center within a year. Years have passed, and the obstacles have multiplied. Congress adopted laws making it difficult, if not impossible, to transfer the prisoners to the U.S. or abroad. After a foiled attack against an American plane in Yemen, claimed by al-Qaida three years ago, the White House suspended transfers to that country. Some 50 Yemenites who should be freed are left kicking their heels.

The president has promised to redouble efforts to accelerate the process, among other things, to convince Congress to let him have more leeway in the operation. The little success he has had with elected officials in the past, particularly on the topic of gun control, calls for skepticism.

The prisoners at the Cuban camp are certainly not angels; it could be assumed that their prolonged detention has done nothing to make them more sympathetic to the U.S. To liberate them would therefore be risky. However, American leaders must also understand that indefinitely imprisoning these men brings other unwanted effects as well.

In the long run, the situation is simply unsustainable, both theoretically and in practice; as Obama made clear last Tuesday, it can only “fester.” The current hunger strike of the majority of prisoners provides proof. By force-feeding them, the jailers are only adding the violation of rights of the individual to an already loaded list of grievances.

Soon enough, Washington will have to let go the numerous detained individuals at Guantanamo who cannot be brought to trial. It would be better if this happened sooner rather than later.