ABSTRACT
Undoubtedly, we are in an unconventional war on terror, and, such a war calls for extraordinary measures. When U.S. forces žrst arrived in Iraq in 2003, they were ill-prepared for the road ahead. Misconceptions about time restraints and a lack of leadership and personal accountability accounted for many mistakes. Poor choices were made in the classižcation of detainees, which also contributed to a violent atmosphere ripe for indoctrination. Blemished and shamed, the U.S. military forces and political foreign policy ofžcials nevertheless used the opportunities and challenges in Iraq in order for the United States to grow stronger as a nation and as a world leader. However, with those choices came increased responsibility. We need to ensure that we have set our standards and honed our skills to the level that we, as well as the rest of the world, demand. As a world leader, the United States is on a platform: Every action we take is meticulously examined around the globe. Abu Ghraib was a dark moment in American history. Yet, we would argue that the
outcome of the war in Iraq, with the revamped strategy of the victors on detention operations and introduction of rehabilitation, has done wonders on the global war on terror. The undeniable change in atmosphere after the initiation of the rehabilitation programs is proof of the victors’ success. Less than 3 months after the introduction of the rehabilitation programs, violence in detention centers decreased by greater than 50 percent. At the same time, intelligence from detainees about other Iraqisboth inside the wire and out-increased by three times the previous amount. There is no doubt that countless American lives have been saved because of the introduction, implementation, and continued evolution of the rehabilitation programs in Iraq. If we leave Iraq with one thing, it should be with our heads held high because we haven’t given up the žght against terrorism and, as a world leader, we never should.
