‘Number Of Guantanamo Recidivists Continues To Rise’

30% Of Former Gitmo Prisoners Are Confirmed Or Suspected Of Reengaging In Terrorist Activities

“The number of former Guantanamo detainees ‘confirmed’ or ‘suspected’ of rejoining the jihad has grown to 208, according to statistics released by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) this week. More than 60 percent of the jihadists, 132 in total, are at-large. The remaining 76 ex-detainees have been killed, died of natural causes, or were re-captured.” (“Estimated Number Of Guantanamo Recidivists Continues To Rise,” The Long War Journal, 9/16/16)

“According to a report released Wednesday by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, 122 of 693 detainees transferred out of the prison, or 17.6 percent, have returned to fighting. That’s four more than the 118 recorded as having re-engaged in militant activities, in a report issued in March.” (“House Votes To Halt Guantanamo Detainee Transfers,” The Washington Post, 9/15/16)

• ODNI: “Reengagement of Former Guantanamo Bay (GTMO) Detainees as of 15 July 2016: …Confirmed of Reengaging: 122 of 693 (17.6%) …Suspected of Reengaging: 86 of 693 (12.4%).” (Summary Of The Reengagement Of Detainees Formerly Held At Guantanamo Bay, Cuba,” Office Of The Director Of National Intelligence, 9/16)

• ODNI: “Based on trends identified during the past eleven years, we assess that some detainees currently at GTMO will seek to reengage in terrorist or insurgent activities after they are transferred.” (Summary Of The Reengagement Of Detainees Formerly Held At Guantanamo Bay, Cuba,” Office Of The Director Of National Intelligence, 9/16)

‘There Have Been Americans That Have Died Because Of Gitmo Detainees’

SEC. OF DEFENSE ASH CARTER: “We're not going to be able to close Gitmo by magically making safe everybody who's in there.” (CNN’s “Fareed Zakaria GPS,” 1/24/16)

• PAUL LEWIS, Defense Department Special Envoy For Guantanamo Closure: “Sir, what I can tell you is unfortunately, there have been Americans that have died because of Gitmo detainees.” (U.S. House Of Representatives, Foreign Affairs Committee, Hearing, 3/23/16)

RICE: ‘We’re Going To Die Trying’ To Close Gitmo

“President Barack Obama’s chief spokesman revealed that the president still intends to shutter the controversial terrorist detention center before his last day in office on Jan. 20 next year. ‘The president is still aiming to close the prison at Guantanamo Bay by the end of his term,’ Press Secretary Josh Earnest told reporters on Monday. . . On Thursday, Earnest told reporters he could not map out how Obama will meet his goal, saying administration officials will do their best to close the prison.” (“Biden's 'Expectation' Is Obama Will Close Gitmo Prison,” Roll Call, 8/25/2016)

• “Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. said Thursday he still expects that the U.S. military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, will close before the Obama administration leaves office in January. ‘That is my hope and expectation,’ Biden said during a press conference in Sweden.” (“Biden's 'Expectation' Is Obama Will Close Gitmo Prison,” Roll Call, 8/25/2016)

• SUSAN RICE, National Security Adviser: “‘I can’t say with certainty that we’re 100 percent going to get there, but I can tell you we’re going to die trying,’ said Susan Rice, Obama's national security adviser, in an interview.” (“Obama's Counterterrorism Chief Takes Fresh Stab At Closing Guantanamo,” Reuters, 11/4/15)

• WHITE HOUSE CHIEF OF STAFF DENIS McDONOUGH: “We will close Gitmo ... That's what the president will do.” (Fox News’ “Fox News Sunday,” 1/10/16)

“Obama administration rushing to shrink ranks at Guantanamo: The Obama administration … officials are scrambling to release as many prisoners as possible…” (“Obama Administration Rushing To Shrink Ranks At Guantanamo,” AP, 6/5/16)