Monday, February 16, 2009

The Biggest Get-Out-Of-Jail Free Card

For the last six years, it's been legal for the US to storm the Netherlands to free US armed service personnel detained on war crimes charges. This despite the fact that the Netherlands has been a staunch US ally and (at least initially) supported US antiterror measures.

The Dutch are hoping that the new administration will revisit the provision now that the GWoT has been so discredited and that the black-and-white worldview of the former [mal]administration so thoroughly repudiated by the electorate.

There's so much to undo in the US, on the domestic and diplomatic fronts, that restoring US reputation will take time, and some items may languish for months or years until the mess can be sorted out. The Dutch are apparently willing to be patient for the time being, though obviously the idea that they can be invaded to (in their eyes) rescue criminals isn't especially palatable.

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Ahoy!