The steady drip of revelations about the abuse of prisoners in the global war against terror is doing serious damage to the U.S. image and efforts to win that battle. Contrary to official claims, the instances of misbehavior are not episodic or exaggerated; they appear to be serious, widespread and systematic. The United States must move quickly to remedy this ugly and disturbing situation. A credible and public assessment of the abuse must occur and all those responsible -- not just the soldiers at the bottom of the chain of command -- punished. An unequivocal condemnation of the worst techniques should come from the highest levels of the U.S. government. Only then will the United States begin to repair the damage that has been done.

There have been sporadic reports of abuse of prisoners since the U.S. went on the offensive against terrorists in the aftermath of Sept. 11, 2001. The notorious photographs from Abu Ghraib prison are the most infamous, but it is now known that abuse has occurred at most major facilities in Iraq, Afghanistan and at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, where many alleged terrorists are held. The U.S. has responded to the allegations by saying torture or abuse was merely the isolated acts of "bad apples."

Recently, The New York Times has reported on a U.S. Army file that details widespread abuse in Afghanistan. According to the paper, "The file depicts young, poorly trained soldiers in repeated incidents of abuse." In some cases, the abuse "was directed or carried out by interrogators to extract information." At least eight Afghans have died in U.S. custody. Two deaths were highlighted in the army file, but it also includes reports of torture, beatings and humiliation. Other documents obtained and released by the American Civil Liberties Union show that such abuse occurs throughout U.S. detention facilities worldwide.