Donald Rumsfeld and Prisoner Abuse at Abu Ghraib - Essay Example

?Case Study Analysis – Donald Rumsfeld and Prisoner Abuse at Abu Ghraib Case Study Analysis – Donald Rumsfeld and Prisoner Abuse at Abu Ghraib Introduction Accusations against abusing the prisoners at the Abu Ghraib prison during the Iraq war created a worldwide reaction through the media. Donald Rumsfeld, the Secretary of Defense was operating in a complex environment of authority mixed with danger. The accusations created a firestorm of controversy over the responsibility and accountability for the current conditions at the Abu Ghraib, and also about the morale code for troops in Iraq. The Rumsfeld’s authority and capability to indict the war in Iraq was affected by many factors such as the political features of Bush administration and Capitol Hill, opinions and sentiments, and governments attachment’s, political attachments to the citizens of the United States and that of the foreign nations. The press played a vital role in spreading the issue to obtain worldwide attention and put US in public opinion for compromising the ethical values during the war and at the Abu Ghraib. Events and Issues Rumsfeld was called upon on May 7, 2004 by the Senate Armed Service Committee where his response to the question whether he should resign or not was “If I felt I could not be effective, I’d resign in a minute. I would not resign simply because people are trying to make a political issue out of it” (“Rumsfeld Speaks”, May 7, 2004). In the report the Antonio Taguba’s investigation results of on the issue over Abu Ghraib states down the whole issue by analyzing the each individual factor. He researches on the issue at wide going through the conditions at Abu Ghraib, the training given to the prison staff, the standard operating procedure at the prison, problems of prison crowding, and culture and accountability of the security personnel. The constitution of the state has clearly defined the two particular aspect of the state’s power; at first, the absolute power of the government over the citizens and secondly, the allocation of power among each entity of the states. It means that superfluous or inappropriate authority and power should not be given to the government at the state or federal level. However, the report on the abuse of prisoners at Abu Ghraib describes that soldiers deemed to have the power to impose cruel and ruthless punishment on the detainees in order to make them speak out. The issue came up into the light when images of cruel and inhumane punishments at Abu Ghraib, the prison once notorious for Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein’s cruelty to his own people were distributed among the public. A video with images of American soldiers brutally abusing the prisoners was released by CBS’s Sixty Minutes II (‘Army Probes POW Abuse’). The images depicted naked prisoners forced into sexual positions, others crawling on the floor, even some of them were handcuffed to other naked prisoners. The images further revealed prisoners standing with their arms secured above their heads for hours or days on end, and the soldiers threatening naked prisoners with military dogs and even worse wearing hoods and their genitals attached to electric wires. Many of them were bruised, slashed and even shot to death. The media brought it to the public awareness worldwide through internet, television and radio shows. These reports evoked shocking and visceral reactions around the world. This issue arose the public reaction and volley of voices demanded answers. There were so many arguments on the actions of America and its image on the global scale. It also prompted many commentators like the CNN’s Larry King who asked, “Does someone big have to go?” The investigations proceedings were carried out by the assistance of LTG Ricardo S. Sanchez, Commander, Combined Joint Task Force Seven (CJTF – 7) into the allegations of detainee abuse at the Abu Ghraib prison which was also known as the Baghdad Central Confinement Facility, under the provisions of the Army Regulation 381-10 (‘Investigation of Intelligence’). The investigations were headed by Major General Antonio Taguba who came up with the conclusion there had been a disturbing account of leadership and evident operational failure. Taguba’s report explains that the actions of the United States in a sovereign nation such as Iraq were supposed to be bound to the articles of Geneva Convention. About the conditions at Abu Ghraib, Taguba wrote that the Geneva Convention’s resolutions were clearly violated on certain occasions at Abu Ghraib by military officials, and ultimately members of congress and Secretary Rumsfeld. On about the training of the soldiers, he mentions that there was little instruction and training given to the MP personnel on the applicable rules of the Geneva Convention regarding the Treatment of Prisoners of War. In addition, there were not sufficient copies of the Geneva Conventions provided to MP personnel or detainees. It was found that there is a general lack of knowledge and implementation, and the need for emphasis on basic legal, regulatory, doctrinal, and command requirements for the 800th MP Brigade and also for its subordinate units. A significant issue prevailing in the Abu Ghraib was the prison crowding due to the significantly lower guard force that was undermanned and under resources in a prison with detainees over their intended maximum capacity. This misbalancing situation contributed to the poor living conditions, escapes, and accountability failures at various levels. Taking too much time for the screening, processing, and releasing of detainees who were not be in custody contributed to the overcrowding Ethical Model The model of prudent pragmatism is selected to analyze the case of study of Donald Rumsfeld and prisoner abuse at Abu Ghraib as it is considered to be the superior theory suitable for analysis. Using this model substantive American values are assessed in the ethical analysis. The ethical model of prudent pragmatism produces the most satisfying results. The theoretical model of prudent pragmatism explains on the need for morality to be introduced immediately and imperiously. On the opposition between morality and politics, the reformation would be a political act such as the “perpetual peace”, which is both the end sought and the way for attainment. Considering the ethical aspects of the law, the moral law must be universal, like the mathematics whether in America or in Iraq. The U.S. detainee operations could have been something that would facilitate rather than hindering U.S. efforts in the Iraq. An ethical approach could help the nations from destroying its own image in dealing with the allegations about abusing at Abu Ghraib. It is still a serious burden to meet the terms with beliefs about the imprisonment allegations. A pragmatic solution should be found out to sustain the long held values of the nations while attaining the intentions of the force. There should have been a more pragmatic and idealistic approach taken while using the power. After the images about the abusing at the Abu Ghraib prison, violence and insurgency increase, kidnappings and murders of those perceived to be allied in the United States increased. And the insurgency declared to “treat Americans and their allies as the U.S. treated prisoners at Abu Ghraib”. This issue has been considered as an ethical issue around the world. These actions of the soldiers were against humanity. Analysis The chaos over the Iraq was a result of stern paternalism ultimately rooted in baseless power politics and not concerning about the long term consequences of the warfare, furthermore, creating guidelines that could make officials lead ideal in their operations. Donald Rumsfeld who was the Secretary of Defense had taken for granted the suggestions of the military and invaded into Iraq with a small amount of force that was not enough to demand for a victory and had proven unfit for the occupation. There had been increasing security breakdown and looting due to the demobilization of the army of Iraq, which in turn annihilated most of the good will that had been obtained in Iraq by overthrowing Saddam Hussein. Conclusion The first thing needed to avoid these problems is the realization of the real issues that we are facing. The Iraq issue, which was the only issue since a few years has now grown to a heap of issues that the whole nation is suffering of. This devastated situation was editorialized by Thomas L. Friedman as, “We are in danger of losing something much more important than just the war in Iraq. We are in danger of losing America as an instrument of moral authority and inspiration in the world” ( Friedman, May 6, 2004). More effective and acceptable foreign and military policies must be implemented. While dealing with war and military operations, the defense ministry must make sure that they are adhering to the constitution of the nation as well to the articles of world Conventions. The officials must be convinced of the number of factors that reduce the unethical expectations. The principles set by the Geneva conventions must be restored and implemented swiftly and with reasonable care. Interrogation would be an important factor during war against the merciless enemy, but that will not give the right for outright persecution or sexual humiliation for entertainment. Confidence must be provided to the leaders and soldiers who are still continuing their mission of supporting the nation’s wartime mission. It must be of ethical values and moral concerns while dealing with the issues of war and after effects of war. References Army Probes POW Abuse. (June 14, 2006). CBS News. Retrieved from http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=614704n Investigation of Intelligence Activities At Abu Ghraib. Retrieved from news.findlaw.com/hdocs/docs/dod/fay82504rpt.pdf Friedman, T. L. (May 6, 2004). Restoring Our Honor Editorial, The New York Times. Rumsfeld Speaks to Senate Armed Services Committee. (May 7, 2004). Antiwar.com. retrieved from http://www.antiwar.com/news/?articleid=2502 Read More