New torture allegations
The week's news at a glance.
Baghdad
Soldiers of the 82nd Airborne in Iraq routinely beat up Iraqi prisoners for fun, three members of the unit told Human Rights Watch. In a report released this week, the international watchdog group quoted a captain and two sergeants who said commanders ignored abuse of prisoners, some of whom had their bones intentionally broken and their eyes doused with burning chemicals. “Everyone in camp knew if you wanted to work out your frustration, you show up at the PUC tent,” said one of the sergeants, using the lingo that stands for “persons under control.” Prisoner beatings, the report said, became known as “F--- a PUC.” The captain said his superiors refused to investigate his complaints over 17 months, until he contacted members of Congress. The Army said it has launched a criminal investigation.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
Trump’s budget bill will increase the deficit. Does it matter?
Today's Big Question Analysts worry a 'tipping point' is coming
-
Film reviews: The Phoenician Scheme, Bring Her Back, and Jane Austen Wrecked My Life
Feature A despised mogul seeks a fresh triumph, orphaned siblings land with a nightmare foster mother, and a Jane fan finds herself in a love triangle
-
Music reviews: Tune-Yards and PinkPantheress
Feature "Better Dreaming" and "Fancy That"