President Obama Outlines Shifts in U.S. Counterterrorism Policy

摘要

In a major address at the U.S. National Defense University in May 2013, President Barack Obama discussed multiple aspects of U.S. counterterrorism policy. Obama outlined a shift away from the concept of a "global war on terror" to more proportional and nuanced policies in several areas. In general terms, he outlined policies aimed at limiting the use of drone strikes; the number of such strikes has reportedly declined sharply since peaking at about 120 in 2010. Obama also lifted a ban on the transfer to Yemen of Yemeni Guantanamo detainees previously cleared for release and called for lifting statutory provisions effectively requiring continued detentions at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. (The United States currently holds about 166 detainees there. Eighty-six, about two-thirds from Yemen, were cleared for release by an interagency task force during Obama's first term, but remain in detention. About 100 detainees have engaged in hunger strikes to mark their frustration and to seek greater public awareness of their situation. As of early June 2013, 41 detainees are reportedly being force-fed.)