Mark Bowden has a brilliant article up in the Atlantic on interrogation in Iraq, and its role in finding Zarqawi.
“We both know what I want,” Doc said. “You have information you could trade. It is your only source of leverage right now. You don’t want to go to Abu Ghraib, and I can help you, but you have to give me something in trade. A guy as smart as you – you are the type of Sunni we can use to shape the future of Iraq.” If Abu Haydr would betray his organization, Doc implied, the Americans would make him a very big man indeed.
There was no sign that the detainee knew he was being played. He nodded sagely. This was the kind of moment gators live for. Interrogation, at its most artful, is a contest of wits. The gator has the upper hand, of course. In a situation like the one at Balad, the Task Force had tremendous leverage over any detainee, including his reasonable fear of beating, torture, lengthy imprisonment, or death. While gators at that point were not permitted even to threaten such things, the powerless are slow to surrender suspicion. Still, a prisoner generally has compelling reasons to resist. He might be deeply committed to his cause, or fear the consequences of cooperation, if word of it were to reach his violent comrades.
Stuff like this is why it’s worth it to subscribe to the Atlantic.
Yeah this was a good read. I created a PDF version, everyone should read this. Download file
Great article. I miss the atlantic, and Bowden (+ others). I had a subscription until I graduated and was temporarily jobless. If I get the tenure-track position I’m interviewing for, I’ll get another ASAP.
Still, we’ve had 100post debates here about wether torture is justified… strange to see no posts on an article that lays out a clear agument against abuse. Of course, maybe people are just scared off by the length…
It is sad that this war is not over and another peace time started for the world. I hope the troops come home soon and everyone just goes back to being happy in thier part of the world.
I can’t think of a time where people have ever been “happy” in their part of the world.
_I can’t think of a time where people have ever been “happy” in their part of the world._
Even in the worst moments, your version of sad and happy is always derived from what you know. I’m sure many people just get more happiness from different things. I’m sure many people in the ME are frustrated, but I would guess many are also content with what they have.