The War On Terror. America’s Use of Torture (Part 8).
Russia Is A Terrorist State: Part 2 (2000s)
The War On Terror. America’s History of Torture in War (Part 8).
“MPOTY 2012 mock interrogation” under public domain by TSgt Michael R. Holzworth
The War on Terror, which began after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, brought to light the use of torture, enhanced interrogation, and waterboarding by the United States government. The CIA operated black sites, or secret prisons, around the world, including in Thailand, where they interrogated suspected terrorists using torture techniques. The use of torture was supported by some politicians, such as Congressman Liz Cheney, while others, such as Senator John McCain, opposed it. However, even those who supported torture, such as Sean Hannity, never experienced waterboarding themselves.
Waterboarding, a form of torture where the subject is made to feel as though they are drowning, was used on detainees. While the military banned the practice for training purposes because it was deemed too brutal, the CIA continued to use it. Gina Haspel, who oversaw a CIA black site in Thailand, was nominated to be the director of the CIA. Her nomination faced opposition due to her involvement in the torture program, but she promised not to reinstate enhanced interrogation if confirmed.
A source for The Atlantic describes the Thailand "black site" run by Gina Haspel, who was later appointed as the director of the CIA. The article details the use of brutal interrogation techniques, including waterboarding, sleep deprivation, and confinement in small boxes, used on detainees at the site. Another article from the Huffington Post describes the ban on waterboarding for military trainees due to its brutality, while another source from the ACLU provides a detailed explanation of what waterboarding actually entails.
The use of torture had long-lasting effects on both the victims and those who carried it out. Former soldiers who were involved in the Abu Ghraib prison scandal expressed remorse for their actions, and some psychologists who worked with the CIA in designing the torture program have spoken out against it. The effects of the torture program continue to be felt, as detainees at Guantanamo Bay who were subjected to torture have been prevented from receiving fair trials.
“Official portrait of CIA deputy director Gina Haspel” under public domain by The Central Intelligence Agency.
The involvement of psychologists in the development and implementation of enhanced interrogation techniques is explored in an article from NIH PubMed, which describes the role of the American Psychological Association in crafting ethical guidelines for psychologists working with the military and the CIA. The article raises questions about the complicity of psychologists in the use of torture and whether their involvement violated ethical principles.
In 2019, a court ruled that the enhanced interrogation techniques used by the CIA were indeed torture, a decision that had long been debated, and a report authored by the Senate Intelligence Committee found that the CIA had waterboarded more detainees than previously claimed. Despite this ruling, some politicians, including President Trump, have expressed support for these tactics.
In November 2019, Trump claimed that Gina Haspel, the current director of the CIA, agreed with him "100%" on the issue of torture. Detainees who were subjected to torture have spoken out about their experiences, with some creating drawings that depict the brutal methods used against them. The use of torture in the War on Terror highlights the ethical dilemmas that arise in times of war, and the long-term consequences that can result from such actions.
In conclusion, the use of torture, enhanced interrogation, and waterboarding during the War on Terror has been a highly controversial and deeply divisive issue. While some argue that these techniques were necessary to extract information from terrorists and prevent further attacks, others view them as immoral and illegal forms of torture that undermine American values and the rule of law.
The release of several reports and documents over the years has shed light on the extent of these practices and the psychological and physical harm they caused to detainees. Although some officials and politicians have defended the use of torture and even called for its reinstatement, others have called for accountability, transparency, and the adherence to international law and human rights standards. As the country continues to grapple with the legacy of torture in the post-9/11 era, it is important to reflect on the lessons learned and to strive for a future where torture is never used again.
Written in part in collaboration with ChatGPT on March 29, 2023
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Putin Is A War Criminal
Russia Is A Terrorist State:
Part 1 (1990s)
Part 2 (2000s)
Part 3 (2011 - 2016)
Part 4 (2016 - 2019)
Part 5 (2020 - 2021)
Part 6: (2022+)
Sources for The War On Terror. America’s History of Torture in War (Part 8):
What Happened at the Thailand 'Black Site' Run by Trump's CIA Pick - The Atlantic March 14, 2018
Iraq: Torture Persists in Mosul Jail - Human Rights Watch April 18, 2019
Haspel promises not to reinstate 'enhanced' interrogation as CIA director - NBC News May 8, 2018
'I hated myself for Abu Ghraib abuse' - BBC News May 16, 2018
WHAT IS WATERBOARDING? - ACLU May 29, 2018
Pictures From an Interrogation: Drawings by Abu Zubaydah - ProPublica May 30, 2018
The Shadow of Torture Behind Trump’s Britain Visit - ACLU July 13, 2018
CIA memo describes "catlike" team members in interrogation sessions - CBS News August 10, 2018
'Waterboarding' probe inside British military - DW August 18, 2018
Sen. John McCain’s complicated moral legacy on torture - Vox August 25, 2018
Psychologists Are Standing Up Against Torture at Gitmo - The Nation September 11, 2018
Guantánamo’s Darkest Secret - The New Yorker April 15, 2019
Court calls U.S. ‘enhanced interrogation techniques’ torture - PBS NewsHour September 19, 2019
Court calls US “enhanced interrogation techniques” torture - AP News September 19, 2019
A Legacy Of Torture Is Preventing Trials At Guantánamo - NPR November 14, 2019
The True Story Behind the Movie The Report - TIME November 15, 2019
Trump said CIA director Gina Haspel agreed with him "100%" on torture - AXIOS November 17, 2019
What the C.I.A.’s Torture Program Looked Like to the Tortured - The New York Times December 4, 2019
Guantanamo Bay prisoner's sketches detail CIA 'torture' at black site - Sky News December 5, 2019