A MERICA lacks a consistent policy regarding battlefield detainees. In Guantanamo Bay, constant outside criticism has sprung relatively few prisoners from captivity. Yet in Iraq, thousands of prisoners are periodically set free in sweeping conciliatory gestures. Condoleezza Rice told a European audience in March that the U.S. has “no desire to be the world’s jailer.” And indeed, while the administration has not quite given up its firm stance in the War on Terror, it has been years since a new prisoner was sent to Gitmo.
What are we to make of this? In game theory, the “Prisoner’s Dilemma” refers to the rational incentives for two accused criminals to implicate each other when offered reduced sentences. The warden uses his cunning to turn the prisoners against each other. In the War on Terror, however, the prisoners are united and it is the warden who is susceptible to manipulation. In confronting terror, we have not reached a consensus on the proper handling of captured terrorists. Our tradition of self-criticism, due process, and respect for human rights has created vulnerabilities for our enemies to exploit. How to develop an approach to enemy detainees that is both confident and consistent? This is our warden’s dilemma.
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