“We are in a war with people WHO WANT US DEAD. These same people have no qualms about beheading civilian contractors or using religious shrines as cover – they do not abide by the laws of war or the Geneva Convention. We cannot win this war with one hand tied behind our back. We are not always going to be perfect, but interrogation methods consisting of “pretty please with sugar on top” are not going to work.
Soldiers should do whatever is necessary to save the lives of their comrades and ensure a successful completion to their mission. If that means a few jihadis get roughed up, too friggin’ bad. They should put on uniforms and swear allegiance to a sovereign nation if they want to be treated like POW’s. Other wise, I have no qualms with treating them like they are – barbarian scum.
If they do not follow the laws of war I see no reason why we should treat them as if the rules apply to them. I’m glad many in our government do not as well. Please stop acting as if this is a conventional war where all the old rules apply – you’re smarter than that.”
This is a common and honest argument. It misses two things. First: there is little evidence to suggest that the torture used by U.S. forces has in any way helped our intelligence efforts. In fact, it may well have proven counter-productive, as experience has shown. Tortured inmates tell you whatever can get them out of torture. They don’t often give you really helpful intelligence. Secondly, this is indeed a different kind of war. The critical element in defeating an inurgency is winning over the civilan population that can give insurgents cover and support. But stories of brutality – in Saddam’s own slaughter-house no less – and the use of mass round-ups of innocent civilians, the taking hostage of relatives of suspected insurgents and everyday brutality actually hurts your cause and undermines the war. That’s why armies try to rein it in. The case against abuse and torture is not just a moral case; it’s a practical case. It’s helping the enemy. And it is destroying the moral high-ground which we are fighting to defend.
The Dish 