Public attention given to Taliban John Walker-Lindh’s activities on behalf of his Nation’s enemies caused a resurgence of interest, not only in the law of treason and the eight Americans who were tried for, and convicted of, that crime following World War II, but also in what could have been treason cases from Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan and today—where indictments were appropriate, but not forthcoming. Why Not Call It Treason? explores the only constitutionally defined crime, and the cases of four notorious individuals – two American soldiers, Walker-Lindh, a radical New York lawyer – who were not, but should have been, prosecuted for treason.
