Serial Season 4, Episode 6: Part 2 - "Asymmetry"

Release Date: April 25, 2024
Host: Sarah Koenig
Produced by: Serial Productions & The New York Times

Introduction

In the sixth episode of Serial’s fourth season, titled "Asymmetry," Sarah Koenig delves deep into the tumultuous events surrounding Colonel Mike Baumgartner’s tenure at Guantanamo Bay. This episode unpacks a series of critical incidents, including suicide attempts, a violent disturbance, and the tragic deaths of three detainees, examining the intricate dynamics between prison authorities and detainees.

Setting the Scene: Daily Operations and Early Signs of Unrest

The episode opens with Sarah Koenig introducing Colonel Mike Baumgartner, the commander of Guantanamo Bay, who had maintained a semblance of peace within the facility until mid-2006. Baumgartner reflects on his role with a sense of responsibility and pride, stating:

"It's like the captain of the ship though, you know, everything that happens on my ship I'm responsible for."
— Colonel Mike Baumgartner (02:53)

Baumgartner describes the routine nature of suicide attempts at Guantanamo, noting that most detainees did not genuinely wish to die due to their Islamic beliefs against suicide. However, an unusual incident on May 18, 2006, disrupts this routine.

The May 18 Crisis: A Tipping Point

On May 18, two detainees were found unconscious and frothing at the mouth, indicating possible poisoning rather than hanging:

"They were reportedly frothing at the mouth, which meant poisoned."
— Sarah Koenig (02:54)

Baumgartner links this incident to a prophecy shared by detainee Shakir Amer, suggesting that the deaths of three detainees would lead to the closure of Guantanamo. Concerned about unauthorized medication access, Baumgartner orders a comprehensive search of all cells, including Qurans—a move that ignites severe unrest, particularly in Camp 4, the facility’s communal and relatively permissive area.

"They told the detainees, we will fight or you can kill us. We can't sacrifice when it comes to the Quran."
— Samuel Hajj from Sudan (09:18)

Despite prior protocols ensuring only Muslim personnel could handle Qurans, Baumgartner suspends this rule, leading to widespread anger and confrontations. Detainees perceive the search as a deliberate provocation rather than routine protocol, escalating tensions further.

The Confrontation: Chaos in Camp 4

As tensions peak, Baumgartner seeks to restore order but is met with increasing resistance:

"I thought they would listen to the colonel. They could care less."
— Colonel Mike Baumgartner (10:30)

The situation deteriorates into what is described as a riot. The Quick Reaction Force (QRF), led by Sergeant Joe Hickman, is deployed but finds the detainees prepared for an ambush, employing tactics like slippery floors with soap and tear gas to incapacitate guards. The ensuing violence sees both guards and detainees injured, marking a significant escalation in the facility's unrest.

"They were beating us. When you got people caged up for years, they fight like animals."
— Sergeant Joe Hickman (14:16)

Aftermath and Suicides: A Dark Turn

Merely three weeks later, on June 9, 2006, three detainees—Yasser Azzaharani, Mani Al Utaibi, and Ali Abdullah Ahmed—are found dead in their cells, hanging themselves. This unprecedented event shatters the period of relative peace Baumgartner had cultivated.

Baumgartner grapples with the responsibility of these deaths, pondering:

"How are we going to basically explain we let this happen? For me, that's what I was."
— Colonel Mike Baumgartner (22:28)

Officially, these deaths are attributed to neglect and procedural failures, such as insufficient cell monitoring. However, alternative theories emerge questioning the validity of these suicides, with some suggesting orchestrated homicides to mask coordinated actions.

Diverging Narratives: Desperation vs. Asymmetrical Warfare

The episode explores conflicting interpretations of the detainees' deaths:

1. Colonel Baumgartner’s View: Asymmetrical Warfare

   Baumgartner perceives the suicides as a strategic act of asymmetrical warfare—where detainees use their deaths as a weapon against Guantanamo:

   "These deaths justified Guantanamo. They are smart, they are creative, they are committed. They have no regard for human life, neither ours nor their own."
   — Admiral Harry Harris (16:53)

   He believes these actions were premeditated, orchestrated by influential detainees to fulfill a prophesied event aimed at forcing the closure of the facility.

2. Human Rights Perspective: Despair and Misery

   Contrarily, human rights organizations and detainees' families argue that the deaths resulted from prolonged despair and inhumane conditions:

   "The prisoners had died from despair, from hopelessness after years of abuse and no clear legal or administrative path towards release."
   — Amnesty International Representative

Additionally, scrutiny arises over the detainees' letters, revealing complex emotions—not just despair but also a desire to inspire change, complicating the narrative between coercion and self-determination.

Investigative Insights: Unraveling the Truth

Investigative efforts, including an award-winning Harper’s Magazine piece, introduce speculation about possible foul play. Sergeant Joe Hickman, a whistleblower, suggests:

"Maybe another agency, perhaps the CIA, had taken them in for secret meetings and things got out of hand and they died. And then they were strung up to look like suicides."
— Sergeant Joe Hickman (27:15)

Despite these claims, no concrete evidence supporting the homicide theory has emerged, leaving the suicides officially classified under negligence and systemic failures.

Baumgartner’s Downfall and Reflections

In the wake of the suicides, Baumgartner faces immense pressure and scrutiny. An incident involving a disparaging comment about the deceased detainees leads to his suspension:

"Those deaths had happened, and he thought for sure they're going to close it... he couldn't comprehend how quickly his star had fallen."
— Colonel Mike Baumgartner (50:03)

Baumgartner reflects on his management style, admitting that his attempts at incorporating certain Geneva Conventions into prison operations may have inadvertently emboldened detainees:

"The only way that you deal with the gentle, not gentle, the people in Guantanamo was from a position of strength, from a position of power, from I am in charge."
— Colonel Mike Baumgartner (45:23)

He acknowledges that his leniency and efforts to respect detainees’ rights may have been perceived as weakness, contributing to the loss of control that culminated in the suicides.

Conclusion: The Legacy of a Worst Year

"Asymmetry" concludes by examining the enduring implications of Baumgartner’s strategies and the dual narratives surrounding the detainees' deaths. It raises critical questions about the balance between humane treatment and security measures within high-stakes environments like Guantanamo Bay.

Baumgartner’s tenure, marked by the May and June 2006 crises, underscores the complexities and ethical dilemmas inherent in managing a controversial detention facility. The episode leaves listeners contemplating the true nature of power, control, and the human cost of asymmetrical conflict.

Notable Quotes

• Colonel Mike Baumgartner (00:20): "When I have to look up a clue to help me, I'm learning something new."
• Sarah Koenig (02:16): "They wouldn't let him do it; they had proven it time and time again."
• Talal Azaharani (27:15): "I never believed this story. There are many signs and pieces of evidence that show this story is false."
• Mustafa Ayadir (48:12): "You know, the worst thing that you can imagine is when your rights are being violated..."

Final Thoughts

This episode of Serial Season 4 offers a comprehensive and nuanced exploration of Colonel Baumgartner’s experiences at Guantanamo Bay, shedding light on the intricate interplay between authority, detainee psychology, and the broader geopolitical ramifications. Through detailed narratives, firsthand accounts, and critical analysis, "Asymmetry" provides listeners with a profound understanding of one of the most contentious issues in modern incarceration and international relations.