In recent years, Congress has included provisions in annual defense authorization bills addressing issues related to detainees at the U.S. Naval Station at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and, more broadly, the disposition of persons captured in the course of hostilities against Al Qaeda and associated forces. The National Defense Authorization Act for FY2012 arguably constituted the most significant legislation informing wartime detention policy since the 2001 Authorization for the Use of Military Force, which serves as the primary legal authority for U.S. operations against Al Qaeda and associated forces.