Take no prisoners

T. E. Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia) invoked a policy, “take no prisoners,” meaning to kill the enemy rather than seize the enemy as prisoners. In Lawrence’s case it was to employ ruthlessness as a strategy to terrorize the enemy, in the instance of the USA engaging terrorists that are out of bounds of government institutionalized warfare, the policy would mean for military to impose justice on the field of battle.

In the current war instances, detention is long and justice is incredibly slow. An argument can be made for taking no prisoners. Field tribunals and swift execution might be preferred in the war against terrorists and insurgents, aka, enemy combatants.

“Breaking News Alert: Guantanamo Bay detainee acquitted of all but one of 285 counts

November 17, 2010 6:17:17 PM

Ahmed Ghailani, the first Guantanamo Bay detainee to face criminal charges in a civilian court, was acquitted Wednesday of all but one of the 285 counts against him.

http://link.email.washingtonpost.com/...JX72/UP/h”