I recently completed reading the biography of Abu Ghraib famed and disgraced female General Janis Karpinski . The objective of this outstanding commander in her book was to defend her honor and reputation as a competent leader. This prison head and commander felt that a predominantly male dominated military establishment made an unfortunate example against her. The world cringed in horror at the callous atrocities that were extended to Arab prisoners by Euro American soldiers. The fall out was demotion and forced retirement for General Karpinski.
One week ago I was having breakfast with my girlfriend as we both watch the news. The commentary in the news was about the conditions and treatment of the almost 25,000 Iraqis prisoners, including 800 juveniles aged between 12 and 17 that were being held by the US military. The question that was posed   by her was, "so what would happen if American soldiers were held by Iraqis, would they be treated any better?” This of course was a very legitimate question I believe.

My response was as follows: It was democratic US that invaded Iraq. Although a war is in progress, one expects the US to lead by example so the high ideals of democracy can be sustained and spread throughout the world, especially in the Middle East. 
This might be a simplistic opinion on my part but I strongly believe that human rights principles are important especially for a democracy. The behavior a country display to citizens at home is almost the same that it will extend to friends and sometimes enemies abroad. Therefore a comprehensive assessment needs to be made at the domestic end to reevaluate the manner in which prisoners are treated within prisons of the US. Similarly attention must be paid to abiding by the mutually agreed Human Rights principles, as well as the Geneva conventions. The questions that can be examined further is what did the US do right in both Germany and Japan that aided those defeated countries to rise from the literal ashes and become the strong democratic giants they are today?