Military charges Bergdahl with desertion

http://www.nbcnews.com

Summary:An article from CNN talks about how Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl is charged with desertion and can be facing life in prison, or for the alternative, forfeit pay and be stripped of his rank. He had deserted his post when he was taken captive in Afghanistan and held for five years. He returned to the United States in a prisoner exchange program. The Army became suspicious of his disappearance from his unit that he was in and decided to investigate back in June 2009. They discovered that he had deserted and had been held by a terrorist group known as the Haqqani. It wasn't clear whether he was forced or not, which brought up some debate. However, something that brought up more debate was the fact that President Obama released five terrorists so that they could bring back Bergdahl. It gave testimony from the own members of the unit Berdahl was in, criticizing Obama's decision. He was meant to return to his hometown in Hailey, Idaho, and they planned to throw a celebration, which was later delayed, due to the complications of his disappearance. As the article progresses, it talks about the detainees released for Bergdahl's freedom. Their names are Khair Ulla Said Wali Khairkhwa, Mullah Mohammad Fazl, Mullah Norullah Nori, Abdul Haq Wasiq and Mohammad Nabi Omari. All of the five were people  captured during the early war in Afghanistan, and they were ranked as mid to high level officials in Taliban.

Analysis: I'm still unsure whether he deserted or was told to desert by the terrorists under threat. If he deserted by himself, then I think he deserves to be punished. I feel as if a life time in prison is kind of a harsh sentence because he was captured by a terrorist group after doing so. Deserting is a huge offense, but he was captured. Also, I don't think Obama should have gave up five terrorists for one person that deserted, especially if the terrorist had important positions. That, and five people for one person seems like an uneven tradeoff.

Discussion Questions: Do you think that Obama should have released the five terrorists for Bergdahl? How many should he have released? If none, why?

Should Bergdahl face life in prison? Is it too harsh, or do you think the punishment fits the crime?