Best Defense
Thomas E. Ricks' daily take on national security.

Good for Them: Truth and Reconciliation

I was surprised and impressed to see two centrist Washington bigwigs — former diplomat Thomas Pickering and former FBI director William Sessions — call for an independent commission to look into U.S. government policies on torture and detainees. It is in the interest of our nation’s security that President Obama should immediately appoint such a ...

By , a former contributing editor to Foreign Policy.
587501_090324_Justice2.jpg
587501_090324_Justice2.jpg

I was surprised and impressed to see two centrist Washington bigwigs — former diplomat Thomas Pickering and former FBI director William Sessions — call for an independent commission to look into U.S. government policies on torture and detainees.

It is in the interest of our nation’s security that President Obama should immediately appoint such a commission. To move ahead, make our country safer and strengthen the leadership position of the United States, we must have a full understanding of detainee policies and their consequences. Only then can we prevent any mistakes of the past from being repeated.

I am beginning to think this might just happen. And that would be a good thing indeed. We probably need one more round of revelations to push it over the top. Given the nature of things, I expect that murder will out. 

Photo: Flickr user CitizenSheep

Thomas E. Ricks is a former contributing editor to Foreign Policy. Twitter: @tomricks1

Read More On Afghanistan | Al Qaeda | George W. Bush | Law | Military | North America | Strategic Intelligence

Latest

Why Xi Thinks He Got the Better of Biden

Henry Kissinger, Colossus on the World Stage

India Looks to Seize Opportunity at COP28

Negotiators Race to Extend Israel-Hamas Truce

Looks Like ‘Axis of Evil’ Is Back on the Menu
See All Stories

Editors’ Picks

  1. 1
    Henry Kissinger, Colossus on the World Stage
  2. 2
    Bukele’s Bitcoin Mess and the U.S.-Backed Bank That Enabled It
  3. 3
    America Is a Heartbeat Away From a War It Could Lose
  4. 4
    Why Gaza Won’t End Up Like East Timor or Kosovo
  5. 5
    The Best Books for Understanding the Israel-Hamas War
  6. 6
    The Masterminds

More from Foreign Policy

The USS Nimitz and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and South Korean Navy warships sail in formation during a joint naval exercise off the South Korean coast.
The USS Nimitz and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and South Korean Navy warships sail in formation during a joint naval exercise off the South Korean coast.

America Is a Heartbeat Away From a War It Could Lose

Global war is neither a theoretical contingency nor the fever dream of hawks and militarists.

A protester waves a Palestinian flag in front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, during a demonstration calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. People sit and walk on the grass lawn in front of the protester and barricades.
A protester waves a Palestinian flag in front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, during a demonstration calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. People sit and walk on the grass lawn in front of the protester and barricades.

The West’s Incoherent Critique of Israel’s Gaza Strategy

The reality of fighting Hamas in Gaza makes this war terrible one way or another.

Biden dressed in a dark blue suit walks with his head down past a row of alternating U.S. and Israeli flags.
Biden dressed in a dark blue suit walks with his head down past a row of alternating U.S. and Israeli flags.

Biden Owns the Israel-Palestine Conflict Now

In tying Washington to Israel’s war in Gaza, the U.S. president now shares responsibility for the broader conflict’s fate.

U.S. President Joe Biden is seen in profile as he greets Chinese President Xi Jinping with a handshake. Xi, a 70-year-old man in a dark blue suit, smiles as he takes the hand of Biden, an 80-year-old man who also wears a dark blue suit.
U.S. President Joe Biden is seen in profile as he greets Chinese President Xi Jinping with a handshake. Xi, a 70-year-old man in a dark blue suit, smiles as he takes the hand of Biden, an 80-year-old man who also wears a dark blue suit.

Taiwan’s Room to Maneuver Shrinks as Biden and Xi Meet

As the latest crisis in the straits wraps up, Taipei is on the back foot.

Trending

  1. Chinese Hospitals Are Housing Another Deadly Outbreak
    Argument
    Annie Sparrow

  2. Henry Kissinger, Colossus on the World Stage
    Obituary
    Michael Hirsh

  3. America Is a Heartbeat Away From a War It Could Lose
    Shadow Government
    A. Wess Mitchell

  4. Bukele’s Bitcoin Mess and the U.S.-Backed Bank That Enabled It
    Deep Dive
    Danielle Mackey

  5. Looks Like ‘Axis of Evil’ Is Back on the Menu
    Report
    Robbie Gramer