Prisoner Exchange: Bergdalh for 5 Taliban Commanders

[Faith No More]

[Minimalist]

Don't forget that Bush had no problem negotiating with terrorist during his presidency.

Neither did their icon, Reagan.

[Autumnlicious]

Code of conduct for the Military:

Just as you have a responsibility to your country under the Code of Conduct, the United States government has an equal responsibility—always to keep faith with you and stand by you as you fight for your country. If you are unfortunate enough to become a prisoner of war, you may rest assured that your government will care for your dependents and will never forget you. Furthermore, the government will use every practical means to contact, support and gain release for you and for all other prisoners of war.

Funny - I didn't see anything about suspicions of desertion voiding your status as a Serviceman.

[Dragonetti]

There isn't.

When I was still in, I would have gone to assist to bring him back. It is a duty as a fellow service member. Any of the issues he caused would be taken up by the courts.

The US Services are plague with religious nuts, but I am proud to have served. And, I never thought I would have join during my highschool or college life.

[Minimalist]

[A Theist]

[Autumnlicious]

Everything is risk if we look at anything. You haven't shown the five detainees still possess any ability to pose active threats to service members. Show the threat from them.


Lets evaluate your options:
1. Means more servicemen and the POW can be killed
2. There is a long history of trading prisoners
3. They can hide the money and purchase weapons/food/support for their organization

Given the above, 2 is preferable as it uses an established tradition and has least overall risk.

3 is terrible, as it appears low risk but increases the financial capabilities of which everything depends on.

Anyone can plan a bombing, but only cold hard cash can buy the materials.

Overall:

If we are spinning down the war in the Middle East, why hold onto prisoners?

Money can be exchanged and hidden, but people are singular entities that can be tracked.

They'll still have to feed any new and old terrorists.

[Hoopington]

Someone on here said that they won't be tracked and there whereabouts and activities known....really?

100% the "intelligence" services of the US of A are banking on at least one of them taking up the fight again. The cynic in me thinks the US soldier was merely a pawn and not the end game at all.