Viva La GWOT!
The Bush policies are dead. Long live the Bush policies! WSJ:
CIA Director Leon Panetta, in his first meeting with reporters, said the agency will continue to carry out drone attacks on militants in Pakistan. He also said that while CIA interrogations will have new limits, President Barack Obama can still use his wartime powers to authorize harsher techniques if necessary.
Among changes under way at the CIA, the agency is now assembling a daily Economic Intelligence Brief to monitor the global economic slowdown’s impact on stability. Argentina, Ecuador and Venezuela are facing “serious problems” that threaten their economic stability, Mr. Panetta said.
Hey, how about an EWOT? Now, if the economic stability of Venezuela is a pressing Obama concern, does that mean Chavez can get in line for his bailout? Can we get a Viva el Diablo, Hugo?
Mr. Obama moved quickly to set a date for shutting down the Guantanamo Bay prison and to close the CIA’s detention network, but the changes to spy operations appear to be on the margins. The main change Mr. Panetta has planned, he said, is to establish “a clear set of ground rules” for interrogations and detainee treatment that are “in line with our ideals.”
…
The Obama administration has also shown a reluctance to overturn Bush administration views on certain terrorism-related legal matters. Earlier this month, it backed Bush-era positions that a case against a contractor alleged to have helped with CIA renditions shouldn’t go forward because it will reveal “state secrets,” and that detainees in Afghanistan don’t have the right to challenge their detention in a U.S. court. Coming cases that will provide additional signals include a lawsuit to force the release of Justice Department memos on anti-terrorism policies.
On interrogations, Mr. Panetta said he believes the CIA can be effective if it limits itself to the 19 techniques the military is allowed to use. He said the administration is evaluating the effectiveness of so-called enhanced interrogation tactics such as waterboarding and will make recommendations to the president on what techniques should be allowed. In the interim, only the 19 techniques will be used.
Mr. Panetta clarified his position on renditions, in which the CIA transports detainees to another country. “We are obviously going to seek assurances from that country that their human rights are protected and that they are not mistreated,” he said. That position is in line with the stated position of previous administrations, though some detainees who were rendered during the Bush administration say they were tortured.
Sorry, I forgot. It’s not the GWOT anymore. The heat is off fighting it and on making it look good, anyway. Still don’t have a good name for it, whatever it is. How about … the War That Formerly Was On Terrorism. The WTFWOT.
Anyway, there’s some sprucing up underway. Not exactly an extreme makeover. More like one of those HGTV Trading Spaces cheapo renovation projects where they paint the furniture. About the window-dressing part, closing Guantanamo, that looks like it will keep getting put off. Maybe even doesn’t need to done. via USA Today:
Attorney General Eric Holder said Wednesday the Guantanamo detention center is a well-run, professional facility that will be difficult to close — but he is still going to do it.
Speaking of window-dressing, Panetta just dismissed a key Dem design concept out said window. via Politico: “There’s no question this is a war.”
Topics: GWOT
Posted by Jules Crittenden at 9:19 am Comments (3) on Thursday, February 26, 2009
3 Responses to “Viva La GWOT!”
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February 26th, 2009 at 1:02 pm
I think it’s the Occasional Struggle Against Root Causes, Jules.
February 27th, 2009 at 2:05 am
Can Leon and Eric say two faced? Can they teach the entire administration to say it?
February 27th, 2009 at 5:37 am
“Ersatz War On Terror”
Cheers