Presidential Accountability in Wartime: President Bush, the Treatment of Detainees, and the Laws of War by Stuart Streichler

Streichler's volume delves into the complex interplay between presidential authority and accountability during wartime, using the Bush administration's treatment of detainees as a case study. The author explores the legal justifications provided by the Office of Legal Counsel, particularly the opinions of John Yoo, which sought to redefine detainee treatment under the Geneva Conventions. The work critically examines the failures of Congress and the judiciary in holding the president accountable, highlighting the dominance of the 'imperial presidency' in U.S. government. Streichler also discusses the political dynamics that influenced the Obama administration's decision not to prosecute Bush-era officials, drawing parallels to contemporary debates about presidential immunity and accountability.