Sage Journals: Discover world-class research

Abstract

In the light of the Iraq insurgency and the revelations of torture by American soldiers at the Abu Ghraib prison, an increasing volume of academic and media commentary has drawn parallels between France's experience during the Algerian War (1954—62), and the current situation facing the United States in Iraq and in its broader `war on terror'. It has been argued that the Algerian War — now viewed by most as a catastrophe which has left an indelible scar on the French national psyche — provides a useful template for understanding the tactical and ideological flaws of the Bush administration today. The aim of this article is twofold: firstly to analyse the main contours of the Algerian War/`war on terror' parallel as it has been debated in academic and media circles, and secondly to examine an aspect of this debate which has attracted less direct scholarly attention, namely the respective attitudes of the French and US governments towards these parallels.

Keywords

Abu Ghraib counter-insurgency interrogation Iraq War torture

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Alleg, H. (2006) The Question, trans. Jonathan Calder. Lincoln, NE: University of Nebraska Press.

American Journal of International Law (2004 ) `US Abuse of Iraqi Detainees at Abu Ghraib Prison', AJIL, 98(3): 591-6.

Aussaresses, P. (2002) The Battle of the Casbah: Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism in Algeria, 1955-1957. New York: Enigma Books.

Barluet, A. (2007) `Sarkozy refuse la repentance et parie sur l'avenir à Alger', Le Figaro, 11 July, p. 3.

Beauge, F. (2000) `Torturée par l'armée française en Algérie, fiLilafl recherche l'homme qui l'a sauvée', Le Monde, 20 June, p. 1.

Branche, R. (2001) La Torture et l'armée française pendant la guerre d'Algérie, 1954-1962. Paris: Gallimard .

Franck, T. (2004) `Criminals, Combatants, or What? An Examination of the Role of Law in Responding to the Threat of Terror', American Journal of International Law, 98(4): 686-8.

Germon, M. and Marchand, S. (2006) `Pascal Bruckner-Benjamin Stora: contre l'oubli, la mémoire ou l'histoire', Le Figaro, 14 November, p. 14.

Grandmaison, O. (2007) `Une histoire apologétique de la colonisation; Nicolas Sarkozy, le colonialisme et la prétendue repentance', L'Humanité, 11 May, p. 17.

10.

Horne, A. (2006) A Savage War of Peace: Algeria 1954-1962. New York: New York Review Books Classics.

11.

Jehl, D. (2005) `Questions Are Left by CIA Chief on the Use of Torture', New York Times, 18 March, p. 1.

12.

Johnson, D. and Risen, J. (2004) `The Reach of the War: The Interrogations; Aides Say Memo Backed Coercion Already in Use', New York Times, 27 June, p. 1.

13.

Kemp, M. (2006) `Empire, Terror, and Human Rights: Political and Intellectual Discourses in France and the United States since fi9/11fl', PhD thesis, Florida State University.

14.

Le Sueur, J. (2006) H-France Review, 6(77), available at: www.h-france.net/vol6reviews/lesueur.html (accessed July 2007).

15.

MacMaster, N. (2004) `Torture: From Algiers to Abu Ghraib', Race and Class, 46(2): 1-21.

16.

Maran, R. (1989) Torture: The Role of Ideology in the French-Algerian War. New York: Praeger.

17.

Moussaoui, R. (2007) `Sarkozy refuse le firepentirfl', L'Humanité, 11 July, p. 2.

18.

Pontecorvo, G. (1965) La Bataille d'Alger. Casbah Film .

19.

Robin, M. (2003) Death Squadrons: The French School. New York: First Run/Icarus Films.

20.

Rousso, H. (2007) `Intellectuals and the Law', paper presented at Rethinking French Intellectuals: International Symposium , Florida State University, Tallahassee , 5-6 November.

21.

Shane, S. , Johnston, D. and Risen, J. (2007) `Secret US Endorsement of Severe Interrogations ', New York Times, 4 October, p. 1.

22.

Stasi, B. (2006) `Loi du 23 février, exit l'alinéa', Libération, 11 January, p. 32.

23.

Stora, B. (2005 [1991]) La Gangrène et l'oubli: la mémoire de la guerre d'Algérie. Paris: Éditions La Découverte.

24.

Trinquier, Roger (2006 [1961]) La Guerre moderne. New York: Praeger.

25.

Vendart, J. (2006) `Loi du 23 février: parlons-en!; La France et son passé colonial', L'Humanité, 20 February, p. 19.

26.

Vidal-Naquet, P. (2001 [1975]) Les Crimes de l'armée française, Algérie 1954-1962. Paris: Éditions La Découverte.

27.

Wall, I. (2007) `H-Diplo Review Essay: Irwin Wall on Alistair Horne's fiA Savage War of Peacefl', available at: www.h-net.org/~diplo/essays/PDF/WallHorne.pdf (accessed July 2007).

28.

Wright, T. (2006) `US Defends Rights Record Before UN Panel in Geneva ', New York Times, 6 May, p. 7.

Re-readings of the Algerian War during the US `war on terror'

Abstract

Keywords

Get full access to this article

References