The 25-year-old soldier released a statement through his lawyer where he compared America's war against terrorism since September 11th to McCarthyism, the slaughter of Native Americans and other "dark moments" in US history.
Manning said that after deploying to Iraq in 2010 he "realised that in our efforts to meet the risks posed to us by the enemy that we had forgotten our humanity."
"We consciously elected to devalue human life in both Iraq and Afghanistan," he added.
Manning said he regretted if his actions "hurt anyone or harmed the US" but said: "When I chose to disclose classified information I did so out of love for my country and a sense of duty to others."
His statement is to be included in pardon request that his lawyer, David Coombs, will forward to the White House. As commander-in-chief of the US military, Mr Obama has the power to pardon convicted troops. » | Raf Sanchez | Hanover, Maryland | Wednesday, August 21, 2013
