Waiting for small victories.

Waiting for small victories.

After learning that Osama bin Laden, the terrorist behind the Sept. 11 attacks, was killed by U.S. forces, Cornellians erupted in celebration on campus and throughout Collegetown.

A few years ago, I read a book called Charlie Wilson’s War. This book (along with the entire Harry Potter Series) remains one of my all-time favorite reads. George Crile amassed an incredible amount of research and produced a thrilling narrative. IT. IS. GENIUS. More significantly, IT. IS. ALL. TRUE. But beyond the geniusness, Charlie Wilson’s War is a wonderfully detailed portrait of a uniquely American figure. On Wednesday, that figure, Charlie Wilson, passed away due to a heart attack.

On Friday, Attorney General Eric Holder announced that several Guantanamo detainees, including the alleged September 11th mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed (KSM), and the alleged architect of the USS Cole bombing, are to be tried in federal district court. I would like to provide some food for thought regarding the decision to try these detainees in federal court rather than by military commission and point out a paradox of bringing these detainees under the “rule of law.”

Following one of our nation’s most memorable moments in history, newly elected President Obama swiftly enacted several executive orders. One of the orders called for the closure of America’s intensely debated terrorist prison at Guantanamo Bay. While many fear this and feel that a prison such as Gitmo is necessary for fighting terrorism, the practices used there are in direct violation of the U.S. Constitution and the rights guaranteed to the accused. When defending our nation it becomes easy to neglect the rights of those involved in terrorist activity, but is this fair for a country which was founded on principles of liberty, justice, and equality?

I think that among the briefing materials given to anyone working to win the war on terror (or terrorism depending on your political persuasion) should be a copy of the film, Battle of Algiers . The film gives an account of the struggle between the French colonial authorities and the Algerian independence movement, the National Liberation Front. It gives an interesting and in-depth perspective both on terrorism and insurgency, and the tactics used against them. One of the most resonant points is reflected in the following exchange between a journalist and a captured Algerian insurgent leader:

“Watch, we’re gonna have an international crisis, a generated crisis, to test the mettle of this guy.” Vice President-Elect Joe Biden said these words only several weeks ago and it seems, at least in part, that his prophecy has come true. The recent terrorist attacks in Mumbai, India are really a test for not only President-Elect Obama, but for the world. The manner in which all parties involved choose to respond to these attacks may well determine the course of the War on Terror.

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — A U.S.-led coalition airstrike mistakenly hit an Afghan army checkpoint Wednesday, killing nine soldiers and wounding three, Afghan officials said.

The strike hit a checkpoint in the Sayed Kheil area of Khost province in eastern Afghanistan, said Arsallah Jamal, the province's governor.

The U.S. said its forces "may have mistakenly killed and injured" Afghan soldiers in what may have been a case of mistaken identity "on both sides."

"As a Coalition forces convoy was returning from a previous operation, they were involved in multiple engagements," a U.S. military statement said. "As a result of the engagements, ANA (Afghan army) soldiers were killed and injured."

BAGHDAD (AP) — Iraqi officials stepped up pressure on the United States on Tuesday to agree to a specific timeline to withdraw American forces, a sign of the government's growing confidence as violence falls.

The tough words come as the Bush administration is running out of time to reach a needed troop deal before the U.S. election in November and the president's last months in office. Some type of agreement is required to keep American troops in Iraq after a U.N. mandate expires on Dec. 31.

The Iraqi timeline proposal made public Tuesday appears to set an outer limit, requiring U.S. forces to fully withdraw five years after the Iraqis take the lead on security nationwide — though that precondition could itself take years.