[sheikdetailfeather]

Are they considered to be POW's?

[Yankee]

Are they considered to be POW's?

If you are talking about the non-uniformed combatants, it is my understanding that the U.S. is according them the same POW status as uniformed combatants.

That is a call that our leadership is making. We are not legally required to do so.

In WWII for example, such freelancers were often executed right where they were captured. They are legally classifiable as spies or clandestine agents.

By the way. The definition of "uniform" in this legal sense refers to an insignia or emblem in plain view, which identifies the wearer to be part of a unit under a nation's military command structure.

You do not have to be dressed completely from hat to boots to be "in uniform" in this narrow legal definition.

[Yankee]

I forgot to add that in Afghanistan, we did segregate them.

Uniformed enemy troops were held as POWs and repatriated, whereas non-uniformed Al-Qaeda are being detained indefinately at Guantanamo.

Napolitano explained that although we are treating "foreign fighters" as POWS now, we reserve the right to reclassify them at a later time and treat them accordingly.

They may wind up at Gitmo, and not be repatriated to their countries, like the Iraqis "regulars" probably will be.