What's the line between interrogation and torture? I admit to not having given it much thought until recently. Some stuff is obvious, like beating a guys balls off (e.g. Daniel Craig in the latest Bond movie) and forcing someone to listen to "Afternoon Delight" for days on end. From what I've heard about waterboarding … seems like torture.
But what about sensory deprivation? Long periods of isolation? Playing on a prisoner's phobias? How much is too much? The issue can get dicey.
Well, I'm glad to pass along this little tidbit from CIA counterterrorism lawyer Jonathan Fredman. In '02, he told a gathering of military and intelligence officials that torture "is basically subject to perception. If the detainee dies, you're doing it wrong."
Don't know about you, but I'm glad that's cleared up.
This article appears in Jun 18-24, 2008.