Backgrounder: U.S. debate over treatment of detainees hinges on interpretation of the Geneva Conventions.

Successive U.S. administrations have sought to justify controversial domestic surveillance programs amid criticism from Congress and rights activists, explains this Backgrounder.

Since 9/11, much of al-Qaeda’s operational capacity has been dismantled but experts say the group’s strength now lies in its ability to inspire others to carry out terrorist attacks.

The prosecution of alleged terrorists in U.S. civilian criminal courts and in new military tribunals has been fraught with controversy. U.S. federal courts have gradually asserted their role in the m…

This publication is now archived. Introduction In response to media reports that the United States is detaining top al-Qaeda suspects in secret prisons in eight countries, including Romania and…