1. How do we locate suspected terrorists?
44 recited the case that T ism and the threat of T - ism has like totally xformed since the 911 days:
See, Great Satan is no longer hunting for a ginourmas aQ Central Command in 1 spot led by the infamous ObL, able to conduct outrageous mass casuality strikes on helpless civies
"Now make no mistake: Our nation is still threatened by terrorists. From Benghazi to Boston, we have been tragically reminded of that truth. We must recognize, however, that the threat has shifted and evolved from the one that came to our shores on 9/11."
"Lethal yet less capable al-Qaida affiliates" - " Threats to diplomatic facilities and businesses abroad. Homegrown extremists. This is the future of terrorism."
44 has opposed a large military footprint in favor of smaller, more focused operations and a preference to seek out partnerships with other countries, even problematic ones such as Pakistan and Yemen.
"We must define our effort not as a boundless 'global war on terror' — but rather as a series of persistent, targeted efforts to dismantle specific networks of violent extremists that threaten America. In many cases, this will involve partnerships with other countries,"
2. Once located, how do we go after them?
44 indicated he'd really like to capture instead of killing
"But despite our strong preference for the detention and prosecution of terrorists, sometimes this approach is foreclosed," the president said.
He reserved the right to use drone strikes when it is not feasible for U.S. forces or a host country to detain suspects, describing such strikes as effective, legal and moral.
"America does not take strikes when we have the ability to capture individual terrorists — our preference is always to detain, interrogate and prosecute them. America cannot take strikes wherever we choose — our actions are bound by consultations with partners, and respect for state sovereignty. America does not take strikes to punish individuals — we act against terrorists who pose a continuing and imminent threat to the American people, and when there are no other governments capable of effectively addressing the threat. And before any strike is taken, there must be near-certainty that no civilians will be killed or injured — the highest standard we can set."
3. If captured, what do we do with them?
44 seems to think Great Satan is kinda discombobulated and at times violated her own principles.
"And in some cases, I believe we compromised our basic values — by using torture to interrogate our enemies, and detaining individuals in a way that ran counter to the rule of law," he said.
Another something something Gitmo closure thingy, something he promised at the beginning of his first term in 2009, though he has made minimal progress.
A total of 166 suspects are still being held, and many are on hunger strikes. Roughly a third of all detainees are from Yemen and have been cleared for release. 44 says Congress had made it difficult for the administration to either release the prisoners or to put them on trial in the U.S.
"Look at the current situation, where we are force-feeding detainees who are holding a hunger strike. Is that who we are? Is that something that our founders foresaw? Is that the America we want to leave to our children?"
44 also openly wished for a new magical place in Great Satan poper where creeps could be held and tried before a military commission
"To the greatest extent possible, we will transfer detainees who have been cleared to go to other countries. Where appropriate, we will bring terrorists to justice in our courts and military justice system. And we will insist that judicial review be available for every detainee."
Pic - "The Global War On Terror Is Over"
