The debate about secret prisons and cia flights known as extraordinary renditions has put transatlantic cooperation in the »war on terror« to the test. Renditions seek to transport terrorist suspects from one country, where they were captured, to their home country or to other countries where they can be questioned, held, or brought to justice. The Bush Administration defends the practice of renditions as a viable tool to combat terrorism and has voiced dissatisfaction with the way the issue is debated in Germany. In turn, German Chancellor Angela Merkel stresses the need to safeguard human rights and the rule of law in the fight against terror.

These allegations on both sides of the Atlantic put at risk a common understanding of transatlantic values in general and transatlantic intelligence cooperation in particular. In fact, different threat perceptions and the political discourse on renditions is turning into an increasing burden on transatlantic anti-terror cooperation. Practicing renditions as well as tolerating torture would certainly endanger the cohesion of the international coalition against terror while providing new arguments for violent extremists to recruit more followers. The practice of renditions is by no means a product of the current Bush Administration but was put in place under the Clinton Administration. But since the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, the rendition program has undergone significant changes, both in quality and scope. The focus has shifted from prosecuting terrorist suspects to preventing future terrorist attacks. Since the modern version of terrorism acts without borders, cross-border intelligence cooperation between Germany and the United States remains essential. But this cooperation itself must not be without limits. Rather intelligence cooperation has to adhere to transatlantic norms and principles. It needs to keep a reasonable balance between individual freedom and state security. If societalnorms and principles are deliberately violated, the transatlantic partnership will suffer the consequences.
The German–American partnership defines itself as a community of democratic values. Hence, the fight against terror must retain public support in both societies to be successful. The continued practice of extraordinary renditions could jeopardize this goal.