The time has long since passed for legal technicalities, for saying that the burden of proof lies with America's accusers or for pointing out the unquestionable evil of the men America is fighting.

ECONOMIST: Torture

Nonetheless, many worry that Britain's extradition arrangements have become too free and easy, thanks to the legal changes in 2003 that lightened the burden of proof in seeking extradition for 51 countries, including a few rather dodgy ones such as Azerbaijan.

ECONOMIST: Britain, America and extradition: Trial of an alien | The

The Iranians know this but have not met their obligation even at this late hour to counter this impression, and for that reason the burden of proof has now shifted: The moral, political and legal responsibility for violent confrontation has passed entirely to Teheran.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: About that NIE...