From VOA Learning English,this is In The News.Five members of Afghanistan's Talibanrejoined their families this weekafter 13 years in detention.The United States had been holding the fiveat its prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.The U.S. government recently sent them to Qatarin exchange for the only American soldierheld in Afghanistan.Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl was believedto have been held prisoner for almost five years.U.S. officials believe his captorsbelong to the Haqqani network,a group with links to the Taliban.Defense Department officials say Sergeant Bergdahl'srelease followed several weeks of secret, indirect talks.The government of Qatar reportedly assisted in the negotiations.In Washington last Saturday,President Barack Obama praised the soldier's release."He wasn't forgotten by his community in Idaho,or the military, which rallied to support the Bergdahlsthrough thick and thin.And he wasn't forgotten by his country– because the United States of Americandoes not ever leave our men and women in uniform behind."Republican Party lawmakers welcomed Bowe Bergdahl's release,but questioned the prisoner exchange.Senator John McCain was himself a prisoner of warduring the Vietnam War.He described the five Afghans as hardened terroristsand violent extremists.He and other Republicans wanted the Obama administrationto explain what steps were taken to make sure the fivenever return to fight against the United States.The government in Afghanistan was angeredat President Obama's decision to release the detainees.The Afghan foreign ministry said the decisionwas a possible violation of international law.U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has defended the agreementto exchange the detainees for Sergeant Bergdahl.He also defended the decision not to inform Congressbefore the exchange took place, as required by law.Secretary Hagel said he does not think the dealwill endanger U.S. military personnel or civiliansby inviting future deals with hostage-takers.The events leading up to the capture of the Americanin 2009 remain unclear.A soldier who served with him saidthe former prisoner is no hero."People calling him a hero or calling him this great soldier?It's a spit in the face to all the soldiers who were there."That was former Army Sergeant Evan Buetow.He was Bowe Bergdahl's team leader in Afghanistan.He says he is happy Sergeant Bergdahl is safe.But he says he cannot understand celebrating a soldierhe says just walked away from his base.On social media, others accused Bowe Bergdahl of walking awayand of getting U.S. troops killed as a result of his actions.Jonah Blank is with the RAND Corporation policy group.He notes the Army recognized the soldier with promotions not once,but twice during his captivity.He says this suggests his actions were nothing less than honorable.Army Secretary John McHugh has made clear the military's first goalis to make sure Sergeant Bergdahl regains his health.He says once that happens,the Army will launch what he called a "comprehensive,coordinated" investigation of the soldier's disappearance.And that's In The News from VOA Learning English.