Torture and the War on Terrorism: Time to Think the Unthinkable

摘要

Recent incidents at Abu Ghraib prison brought to light one of the more vexing and potentially troublesome issues the U.S. is likely to face in this conflict: Does the nature of the War on Terror justify the use of extraordinary measures, i.e., torture, in our effort to defeat the enemy. This paper begins with a brief review of the events leading up to the scandal at Abu Ghraib to include the potential influence of policy discussions at the highest levels of government. Following that background discussion, I identify some of the pitfalls associated with defining torture and review some of the major schools of thought on the subject. I then examine the completely antithetical nature of the use of torture in relation to our strategic goals and national values. In closing, I recommend that the Bush administration clearly go on record in opposition to the use of interrogational torture. Additionally, I recommend the Bush administration establish a clear definition of what does and does not constitute torture and the agencies responsible for national security should establish guidelines for interrogation in accordance with that definition.