In a country where the military’s “no man left behind” dogma strikes a deep chord, Barack Obama no doubt believed that, by striking a deal with the Taliban – whereby the captured soldier was freed in return for the release of five Taliban commanders being held at Guantanamo Bay – he would be praised for making sure no American service personnel would be left behind, as his forces end combat operations at the end of this year. Talk about misjudging the public mood. For, far from being hailed from all quarters for striking a good deal, Mr Obama now finds himself under attack, not only for securing the release of a soldier who is widely condemned as a deserter, but for the way he set about doing the deal in the first place.
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