Since September 11 there has been a sweeping revision of US law aimed at countering terrorism, but involving a profound curtailment of Americans’ constitutional rights and liberties. The most controversial of the new measures is the unprecedented order authorising the creation of special military tribunals to try non-citizens suspected of terrorism. Olshansky looks at the history of military tribunals world-wide as well as alternatives, explains its unconstitutional elements, and the threat such a move bears on the US’s international credibility and authority.