What he did then: President of the United States (first term)

What he does now: President of the United States (second term)

Reported involvement: Critics allege that President Bush set the wheels in motion for the abuse scandals by deciding that the Geneva Conventions would not apply to certain detainees and by fostering a "gloves off" atmosphere for the U.S. intelligence community. The White House denies any direct or indirect role in the abuses that took place at Abu Ghraib or elsewhere.

Photograph of George W. Bush by Jim Watson/AFP.