Obama Defends Prisoner Swap, But Bergdahl May Be Charged With Desertion

At a news conference in Europe, President Obama defended the deal struck over the weekend that led to the sudden release of Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl from five years of Taliban captivity in exchange for the release of five Taliban prisoners in Guantanamo.

Obama said the U.S. has a "sacred" obligation not to leave soldiers behind on the battlefield even though there are concerns that Bergdahl deserted his post in Afghanistan.

Separately, Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman Gen. Martin Dempsey said that the Army may still pursue desertion charges against Bergdahl.

NPR national security correspondent David Welna joins Here & Now's Robin Young to discuss the latest details of Bergdahl's release.