The United States intends to retain partial control of its largest prison in Afghanistan, not only to detain Afghans suspected of fighting the American military, but also to possibly hold detainees from Guantánamo Bay.

 

The plan calls for the U.S. to keep possession of at least one large building at Bagram Air Field where the detention facility is housed. The hangar-like structure could hold nearly 100 prisoners, most of whom would likely be high-security threats that the U.S. does not want to turn over to the Afghans for fear they will be released. There are currently about 440 prisoners being held at Bagram on the basis of information that is classified or that lacks the sort of direct evidence that would be required in an Afghan court.

 

President Barack Obama still intends to shutter the prison at Guantánamo Bay, but wants to indefinitely hold certain detainees. Bagram could become their new prison.

-Noel Brinkerhoff

 

U.S. Seeks Role in Afghan Jail (by Julian Barnes, Wall Street Journal)