EDITORIAL BEYOND HAMDAN.

EVER since 9-11, America has grappled with the challenge of fighting an unprecedented sort of war against a new kind of enemy.

After invading Afghanistan, we were faced with the question of how to handle enemy combatants who aren't conventional soldiers -- how to extend them humane and fair legal protections, without jeopardizing national security.

The Bush administration's answer -- military tribunals, set up according to its own standards -- has failed. In Hamdan v. Rumsfeld, the U.S. Supreme Court has rebuked the president for exceeding his powers under the law, ruling, in essence, that Congress must establish the standards for how such tribunals would work.

There's a lesson for the White House: America extends the president great authority during war, but not unlimited authority, and not for unlimited time.

But there's also a challenge: The American political system must confront the difficult question of how to handle enemy combatants.

It's now up to Congress to grapple with issues that for too long have been outside public debate. And Congress must act swiftly, without getting mired in partisanship. National security demands a sound, balanced response -- not cheap politics.