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Originally posted by Skunk:
quote:
Originally posted by Memnoch:
I don't want this to become a "let's bash the US" thread as that's not the intention. On the positive note operational transparency in US military operations, while not perfect, is at least better than most. Let's hope that via that transparency the root cause of this situation is identified and addressed ASAP.
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I think that the problem was the chronic *LACK* of transparency in military operations.
We now know that that the abuses were continuing for months and that the Red Cross had been complaining and demanding corrective action over a very long period. Had it not been for the leaked photos, the abuses would still be ongoing right now. The only watchdog for the military is the press - and the US press at least is kept on a very TIGHT and managed leash.
This isn't a 'country-bashing' thread (although I think that the current administration deserves a bit of bashing for what has been happening) and it is quite clear from the tone of the hearings into the affair that this is *NOT* the kind of behavour expected from the US's armed forces.
Let's hope that the neccessary transparency is introduced to prevent these kinds of abuses from ever happening again. Waiting on reporters to act as policemen is clearly not sufficent. [/QUOTE]Fair enough, Skunk. Let me try and revisit it from another angle. Which nation do you feel would be the benchmark when it came to operational transparency, particularly in this kind of situation and with respect to treating hostages? Without making any excuses for this kind of appalling behaviour (we're shocked about it in OZ too) I'd like to see where you think the US ranks in the operational transparency scale, particularly with respect to comparable militaries worldwide (eg the UK, Germany, France, Russia, China, etc).