The Least Worst Place: Guantanamo's First 100 Days

In the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, the United States government established a detention camp at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to house suspected terrorists. The camp quickly became a symbol of American excess and human rights abuses.

The Least Worst Place: Guantanamo's First 100 Days

by Christian Davenport

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1971 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	274 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

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In his new book, The Least Worst Place: Guantanamo's First 100 Days, former camp commander Michael Lehnert offers a gripping account of the camp's early days. Lehnert, a retired Army colonel, was tasked with overseeing the operation of the camp during its first three months. He witnessed firsthand the challenges and controversies that plagued the facility from the start.

Lehnert's book is a valuable contribution to the historical record of Guantanamo Bay. It provides a unique perspective on the camp's early days, and it sheds light on the complex and often contradictory motivations of the people who ran it.

The Early Days of Guantanamo Bay

The first detainees arrived at Guantanamo Bay on January 11, 2002. They were a mix of suspected al-Qaeda fighters and Taliban soldiers who had been captured in the wake of the US invasion of Afghanistan. The detainees were housed in a hastily constructed camp that was designed to hold them for a few weeks or months while they were interrogated.

However, the detainees remained at Guantanamo for much longer than anyone had anticipated. The camp quickly became overcrowded, and the conditions inside were squalid. The detainees were held in small, windowless cells and were subjected to harsh interrogation techniques.

Lehnert was appalled by the conditions at Guantanamo Bay. He believed that the detainees were being treated in a way that was both inhumane and illegal. He repeatedly raised concerns about the camp with his superiors, but his pleas for improvement were largely ignored.

The Challenges of Running Guantanamo Bay

Lehnert faced a number of challenges in running Guantanamo Bay. The camp was understaffed and underfunded, and Lehnert had to constantly fight for resources. He also had to deal with a hostile and uncooperative population of detainees.

Lehnert's biggest challenge was the pressure he faced from the Bush administration. The administration was determined to use Guantanamo Bay as a tool in the war on terror, and it was unwilling to make any concessions to the detainees' human rights.

Lehnert eventually resigned from his post in protest over the Bush administration's policies. He believed that Guantanamo Bay was a stain on the United States' reputation, and he wanted no part of it.

The Legacy of Guantanamo Bay

Guantanamo Bay remains open today, and it continues to be a symbol of American excess and human rights abuses. The camp has been the site of numerous hunger strikes and other forms of protest by the detainees. It has also been the target of international condemnation.

The legacy of Guantanamo Bay is a complex one. It is a reminder of the dark side of the war on terror, and it is a challenge to the United States' commitment to human rights.

Michael Lehnert's book, The Least Worst Place: Guantanamo's First 100 Days, is a valuable contribution to the historical record of Guantanamo Bay. It provides a unique perspective on the camp's early days, and it sheds light on the complex and often contradictory motivations of the people who ran it.

Lehnert's book is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the history of Guantanamo Bay and its legacy.

The Least Worst Place: Guantanamo's First 100 Days

by Christian Davenport

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1971 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	274 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE