[arista]

Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl, from Idaho, was freed in exchange for America turning over 5 Taliban detainees held in Guantanamo, to Qatari custody.



Amazing they kept him Alive.
Lucky Man

http://news.sky.com/story/1272805/us...ve-years-freed

[joeysteele]

I didn't see this coming about,surprised at the outcome but glad he is now safe.

[Tom4784]

Has no one learned anything from Homeland?

[Josy]

Very surprised at that tbh obviously he's been through a massively life changing ordeal but I hope he can get on with his life now as best as can be expected.

[Livia]

That's wonderful for the soldier and for his family. I wonder where it leaves the US government though, and their insistence that they don't do deals with terrorists?

[LeatherTrumpet]

Originally Posted by Livia

That's wonderful for the soldier and for his family. I wonder where it leaves the US government though, and their insistence that they don't do deals with terrorists?

PR

they work the ticket like all nations do when the time is right

[Livia]

Originally Posted by LeatherTrumpet

PR

they work the ticket like all nations do when the time is right

It weakens their argument and sets a precedent. It encourages other terrorists to snatch people in the hopes of making a deal.

[joeysteele]

Originally Posted by Livia

That's wonderful for the soldier and for his family. I wonder where it leaves the US government though, and their insistence that they don't do deals with terrorists?

I agree, this could lead to further problems in years to come.

[Nedusa]

Good to see this Soldier finally released from his captivity, the Taliban have been allowed to pick from the 150 men imprisoned in Guantanamo Bay 5 men they want released.

So expect to see more serving soldiers kidnapped in Iraq/Afghanistan so they can be traded like this to free more men in G.B

Wouldn't it be better if the US President just closed this facility and let these poor wretched men go home after 12 years behind bars. After all if the War is over in this Country then these men as prisoners of war should be released.

They are not convicted of any crimes as far as I am aware merely being in the wrong place at the wrong time and being captured as enemy combatants.

At least it would stop current US/Western servicemen & servicewomen being kidnapped for similar prisoner swaps.

[CaudleHalbard]

It has set an apparently unfortunate precedent. But there again none of those released by the US have actually been convicted of a crime..... so far as I know, anyway.

[LeatherTrumpet]

I am not sure nutjob terrorists care about precedents - they know that hostages give them power

[CaudleHalbard]

Although it is easy to label them all 'nutjobs', I'm sure their leaders know exactly what they want and how best to achieve it.

It is all to do with power.

[LeatherTrumpet]

Originally Posted by CaudleHalbard

Although it is easy to label them all 'nutjobs', I'm sure their leaders know exactly what they want and how best to achieve it.

It is all to do with power.

They are nutjobs, nutjobs can be clever but they are doing things for patently stupid, selfish and sociopathic reasons

[arista]

Originally Posted by Livia

That's wonderful for the soldier and for his family. I wonder where it leaves the US government though, and their insistence that they don't do deals with terrorists?

It appears he is not a hero, though.
He walked out of his camp in the night with no weapons.



And Swaps have been done forever
even in war.

[Nedusa]

Originally Posted by arista

It appears he is not a hero, though.
He walked out of his camp in the night with no weapons.



And Swaps have been done forever
even in war.

I agree, the political capital Obama thought he had with this released Soldier is fast disappearing. Turns out he was a deserter and 5 people died trying to rescue him originally. And now 5 high ranking Taliban leaders have been released in exchange for his release.

The far right Republicans are up in arms about this and it is blowing up into a Political storm.

[joeysteele]

Originally Posted by arista

It appears he is not a hero, though.
He walked out of his camp in the night with no weapons.



And Swaps have been done forever
even in war.

Yes, I was watching this on the news tonight arista,I'm not sure what to make of all this now

[Nedusa]

Unbelievable... The Soldier has been a prisoner held captive for 5 years and now the US authorities wants to court Marshall him for being a deserter.

Only in such a heartless godless place could a person receive such treatment.

It's a wonder he doesn't change his mind and stay with the Taliban

Disgraceful treatment.... Disgraceful Country.

[Ninastar]

Unbelievable.

[arista]

Originally Posted by joeysteele

Yes, I was watching this on the news tonight arista,I'm not sure what to make of all this now

On all America News
its gone wild as now they claim Troops may have been killed
looking for him.


When he walked out of the camp
he made sure he had no weapons
he was ready to join the enemy.


The Latest is his hometown
has cancelled a rally for his return home
due to the backlash

[Nedusa]

Originally Posted by arista

On all America News
its gone wild as now they claim Troops may have been killed
looking for him.


When he walked out of the camp
he made sure he had no weapons
he was ready to join the enemy.


The Latest is his hometown
has cancelled a rally for his return home
due to the backlash

Yes........only in the US can a serving Soldier who has been held prisoner for over 5 Years and is finally rescued come home and find him and his whole town have been vilified and condemned.

[Nedusa]

Although to be honest I think Obama has shot himself in the foot with this whole episode.

Had he taken the time to check out the soldier in question I think he might have had a more low key annoucement of his return.

By holding such a triumphalist press conference in the White House rose garden he has left himself open to criticism from the Republican right.

[smudgie]

He was worth sending soldiers to rescue him, but not worth getting out by negotiation?
I think Obama did the right thing personally, isn't it all meant to part of trying to make peace with the Taliban, I suppose you need to look at the bigger picture.

[arista]

Originally Posted by Nedusa

Although to be honest I think Obama has shot himself in the foot with this whole episode.

Had he taken the time to check out the soldier in question I think he might have had a more low key annoucement of his return.

By holding such a triumphalist press conference in the White House rose garden he has left himself open to criticism from the Republican right.

Its Both sides Now
all are debating this mess.

[Nedusa]

The idea that Governments don't do deals with terrorists is laughable.

Of course they do, the UK Govt negotiated with the IRA, the US Govt with the Taliban.

Israel with Hamas (although not sure which one is the Terrorist !!).

It goes on all the time it is realpolitik............

[Niamh.]

I hope that soldier will be able to live a normal life now, he must surely be severely traumatized