Victoria Brittain Knihy

Mai Masri's work spans three decades, capturing pivotal moments in Palestinian and Lebanese history through her films. She focuses on giving voice to often overlooked subjects, particularly women and children, revealing their experiences during war and occupation. Her approach highlights the personal stories behind historical events, emphasizing the resilience and agency of her subjects. Notably, her feature film received acclaim from former Lebanese political prisoner Soha Bechara, underscoring its impact and significance.

This searing account reveals one man's harrowing years in a notorious American prison and his Kafkaesque struggle to clear his name. The narrative begins with a chilling description of his abduction and the oppressive conditions he faced. Moazzam Begg, a highly educated British Muslim, spent three years in U.S. custody, nearly two of which were in Guantanamo Bay, a symbol of the dark side of America's War on Terror. His story, written with journalist Victoria Brittain, details his experience of being secretly taken from his home in Afghanistan, held incommunicado in military bases, and ultimately transferred to Guantanamo. There, he endured eighteen months in solitary confinement, relentless interrogations, and degrading treatment, alongside over 800 other Muslim detainees, many of whom remain imprisoned. Begg's powerful narrative serves as a personal indictment of the U.S. government's establishment of a global gulag that disregards the Geneva conventions, highlighting one of the great miscarriages of justice of our time. His eloquent reflections on his experiences provide a unique perspective on the consequences of the War on Terror.

Exploring the complexities of the Guantanamo Bay detentions, this book intertwines personal narratives, legal perspectives, and political discussions. It critically examines the impact of these detentions on Western democratic values amid the ongoing "war on terror." Following its success in London, the work has gained attention in New York, prompting reflection on the balance between security and freedom.