U.S. military officials have identified the four Marines videotaped urinating on three dead Taliban fighters in Afghanistan. Two have already been interviewed by investigators. The case has sparked outrage from Washington to Kabul, and threatened to further complicate nascent efforts to begin peace talks. Afghan President Hamid Karzai demanded "the most severe punishment for anyone found guilty in this crime." Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said the culprits would be "held accountable to the fullest extent," which could mean prison time under U.S. military law. Would that be fair punishment?
Yes. Desecrating the dead is a war crime: "The soldiers' disgraceful behavior is not only embarrassing for the U.S," says Daniel Scheschkewitz in Germany's Deutsche Welle. It is a propaganda gift to the Taliban and an "ostentatious" violation of the Geneva Convention, as well as "all codes of civil behavior, regardless of culture or religion." This calls for the harshest punishment U.S. military law allows, as well as an apology from President Obama to the Afghan people.
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