Unjust, unwise, unAmerican
Mr Bush could have asked Congress to pass new anti-terrorism laws. Instead, he is setting up a shadow court system outide the reach of either Congress or America's judiciary, and answerable only to himself. Such a system is the antithesis of the rule of law which the United States was founded to uphold.

In a speech on 4 July, Mr Bush rightly noted that American ideals have been a beacon of hope to others around the world. In compromising those ideals in this matter, Mr Bush is not only dismaying America's friends but also blunting one of America's most powerful weapons against terrorism.

Leader, The Economist, 12-18 July 2003