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War Crimes Trials for Abu Ghraib, Guantanamo Bay?
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War Crimes Trials for Abu Ghraib, Guantanamo Bay?

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The Justice Department's Inspector General reports that FBI agents thought the CIA and Military Intelligence were abusing, possibly torturing, terrorist suspects in the aftermath of September 11.  House Democrats have subpoenaed lawyers who approved harsh tactics. Did a few soldiers at Abu Ghraib take the fall?  Should higher ups in the chain of command face trial for war crimes?  Also, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon says that Myanmar will admit aid workers, and John McCain--three-time cancer survivor and former POW--releases his medical records, showing he's in good health.

Banner image: US Army Sgt. Javal Davis (L) and his attorney Paul Bergrin (R) leave the courthouse after a hearing in the Abu Ghraib prisoner abuse case against Davis February 1, 2005 in Fort Hood, Texas. Photo: Jana Birchum/Getty Images

Making News

UN Announces That Myanmar Will Admit All Aid Workers ()

Three weeks after the cyclone that devastated Myanmar, the ruling generals have agreed to admit aid workers from any other country. That's according to United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, who met yesterday with the junta leader, General Than Shwe. But the news is being met with skepticism in Myanmar and elsewhere. Michael Green is a former senior specialist on Asia for President Bush.

Guests:
  • Michael Green: Professor of Asian Studies, Georgetown University

Main Topic

Can Bush's Lawyers Be Tried for War Crimes? ()

Abuses of prisoners at Abu Ghraib were revealed in photographs that are now infamous worldwide. Just seven people have been disciplined, all soldiers, none of whom rose above the rank of sergeant. Former sergeant Javal Davis, who spent four months as a guard at the prison, pleaded guilty to assault and served three months in a military brig. Yet, there's ample evidence of much worse treatment, possibly torture. The House Judiciary Committee has subpoenaed Vice President Cheney's Chief of Staff and other lawyers who approved harsh tactics against detainees captured after 9/11. Were they doing what was necessary to prevent another attack or should they be put on trial? What were the roles of Donald Rumsfeld and President Bush?

Guests:
  • Javal Davis: former Prison Guard at Abu Ghraib, US Army
  • Philippe Sands: Professor of International Law, University College London
  • Noel Francisco: former Deputy Assistant Attorney General, White House Office of Legal Council
  • Tom Malinowski: Washington Advocacy Director, Human Rights Watch
Links:

Reporter's Notebook

McCain's Medical Records Released ()

John McCain will be 72 in August, and if voters choose him this coming November, he'll be oldest man ever elected President. McCain, of course, was maltreated when he was a POW in Vietnam. He has survived melanoma three times. Today, he released his most recent eight years' worth of medical records. Liz Halloran, senior writer with US News & World Report, has just spoken with McCain's doctors at the Mayo Clinic.

Guests:

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