U.S. still struggling on captured terrorists

If the United States were to capture a terrorist outside the battle zone, what the government can do with that individual is a "vexing challenge," a top U.S. official said.

The admission was a reflection of the complications from the Obama administration's continuing struggle with establishing a new policy for the capture and detention of suspected terrorists.

Michael Vickers, the Pentagon's acting undersecretary for intelligence, told members of the Senate Armed Services Committee that there are established procedures for those caught on the battlefield, but it becomes dicey when the individual is picked up outside what he called the "zone of hostilities." This was his confirmation hearing for his current office.