Implications and Hope

The resolution of how to treat accused foreign terrorists is going to remain in the forefront of American politics and public debate so long as there are still people actively trying to harm American citizens. Without some sort of resolution defining their treatment, each new president is likely to overturn the mandates of the previous administration and enact their own doctrine. This will lead to an unprecedented slowing of the judicial process, as those who have been convicted might be granted a second trial and those who are awaiting trial will be forced to wait even longer. We currently suffer from a lack of a solid definition to work with. “Terrorist” is not an internationally recognized group so there is no real way to create rules for a faction that does not exist. Without some consensus on the issue, policy toward accused terrorists will be chaotic at best. Furthermore, we run the risk of weakening ourselves through constant infighting and instead of preventing future attacks; we open ourselves up to them. I’ve spent so much time planning for the worst possible outcome, that I think I will address the alternative and positive one. If the issue remains unresolved, the terrorists will have no idea what the next administration may have in store for them. We have already seen that terrorists take advantage of laws to protect themselves, so maybe if those laws are constantly changing it will thwart more of their plans. In the end that is mainly a hope as I would much rather we stand united than hope that our separation proves a blessing.