The number of detainees returning to terrorism after being released from Guantanamo Bay is rising, according to a new report released Wednesday by Director of National Intelligence James R. Clapper Jr.
A U.S. Sailor, foreground, assigned to the Navy Expeditionary Guard Battalion conducts an early morning patrol while detainees stand by in the background at the recreation yard inside Camp Delta at Joint Task Force (JTF) Guantanamo, Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, Cuba, July 7, 2010. JTF Guantanamo provides safe, humane, legal and transparent care and custody of detainees, including those convicted by military commission and those ordered released by a court. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Michael R. Holzworth/Released)
As of July 19, 168 of 602 (28 percent) detainees released to date from the Guantanamo Bay Detention Facility have either reengaged in terrorism or are suspected of having reengaged in terrorism, the report shows. In comparison, the DNI’s 2011 report showed a total of 150 of 598 (25 percent) detainees had returned to terrorism or were suspected of having returned to terrorism following their release from the U.S. Navy facility in Cuba.
By my calculations, the new numbers represent an increase of three percent over the 2011 figures. Any way you slice ‘em, however, these numbers represent bad news for our combat and anti-terrorism efforts.
In my upcoming book, “The CLAPPER MEMO,” I’ll share details contained in letters and other documents I obtained during the past four years from individuals who’ve served as high-ranking interrogation officials at GTMO. Most importantly, I’ll share how they describe the damage done to national security by a Pentagon decision to strip GTMO interrogators of their most-effective tool for learning about detainees’ past exploits and future plans.
“The CLAPPER MEMO” is set for release this fall.
If you need something to read until then, order a copy of my first nonfiction book, “Three Days In August.” It’s available in paperback and ebook via most online booksellers, including Amazon.com. Thanks in advance!
UPDATE 9/24/2012 at 7:51 a.m. Central: The New York Times is one of many news outlets reporting that the Obama Administration has approved the transfer of 55 more GITMO detainees. Based on the percentages above, we can expect 15 of these detainees to return to lives of terrorism. Comforting.