AP reported that SGT Bowe Bergdahl the only US service member held in Afghanistan was released in a trade for five Afghan detainees held in Guantanamo Saturday May 31.

It is doubtful the US will clear up the controversy surrounding Bergdahl’s capture who has been a prisoner since 30 June 2009.  Some reports describe him as leaving his weapon behind as he left his post voluntarily and accompanying some Afghan workers off his combat outpost.

It is also doubtful that the controversial practice of trading a lopsided number of enemy prisoners for one service member will be addressed.  It is argued that the Israeli practice of doing so has made Israeli troops even more vulnerable as Hamas and Hezbollah have conducted operations specifically targeted at capturing Israeli soldiers.  Past operations have resulted in hundreds of Palestinians convicted of involvement in terrorist activities to be released.