FRANKLIN FOER, STILL IN THE BUNKER:

The soldier whose New Republic article about military cruelty in Iraq was labeled false by Army investigators refused to defend his accusations when questioned by the magazine, even after being told that the editors could no longer support him unless he cooperated. . . .

Despite the contentious conversation, Foer continued to defend the article days later. He did so again yesterday, reiterating that other soldiers whom the magazine would not identify had confirmed the allegations.

While Beauchamp “didn’t stand by his stories in that conversation, he didn’t recant his stories,” Foer said in an interview. “He obviously was under considerable duress during that conversation, with his commanding officer in the room with him.”

Read the whole thing. Is there some other reason — besides suicidal stubbornness — that Foer is afraid to admit they got gulled? They told Beauchamp they’d have to retract if he wouldn’t back up the story, he didn’t back up the story, and now they’re not retracting.

UPDATE: Here’s a Big Beauchamp roundup. And I wouldn’t be surprised to see further developments this week, despite TNR’s efforts to make the story go away.

ANOTHER UPDATE: A reader emails:

The person in the room with Beauchamp was his squad leader. He is a Staff Sergeant, not Beauchamp’s commanding officer. ANY familiarity with the military would prevent embarrassing little gaffes like this, and big ones like hiring Pvt. Beauchamp. And BTW, that SSG advised Beauchamp to talk to TNR and cancel with Newsweek & WaPo, as Foer was requesting.

A little familiarity with the military would have done The New Republic a lot of good in general.