Even though it appears to the general public that the military does not abide by the Geneva Convention and it appears the military mistreats Prisoners of War (POWs), it is actually the media coverage and politics that has impacted our military forces and the general public needs to educated itself on international laws and how the face of combatants has changed over the years. This paper will examine the legal definitions, historical background, and the differences in how the U.S. and it's enemies have treated POWs throughout the years, along with the new concept of extraordinary rendition and how the media and public opinion impacts the U.S. military's ability to combat terrorism.

Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.