Hamdi release

From the Economist:

An agreement was struck with Yaser Esam Hamdi, an American citizen held without trial as an “enemy combatant” since 2001, that allows him to leave the United States if he gives up his citizenship, renounces terrorism and promises not to sue the government.

So, this "enemy combatant," such a threat that he had to be detained in solitary confinement on a military brig for years and denied his constitutional rights to counsel or trial, will soon be released on the conditions that he promises to behave, and that he not hold the U.S. Government accountable for his treatment.

Hamdi was to be flown to Saudi Arabia, where he is to stay for at least five years. Unfortunately, it seems that the U.S. Government neglected to discuss this with Saudi Arabia, so Hamdi remains, for now, in a brig off the coast of South Carolina.

It is worth noting that the break in the case seemed to come with the Supreme Court's ruling in June that Hamdi had a right to counsel.

Is the concept of enemy combatants defensible? Perhaps... But if it is abused as it seems to have been in this case (do you believe we'd be letting a true threat go?), the risks will clearly outweigh any benefits.