On April 16, 2009 the Obama administration released previously classified documents that detailed interrogation techniques used on detainees by the U.S. in Guantanamo Bay prison, including waterboarding, sensory deprivation, exposure to freezing temperatures and more. Some intelligence officials, including those in the Bush administration who outlined and approved the techniques, insist that these interrogation tactics were justified and did not constitute torture, but others see them as blatant human rights violations. Did the U.S. "torture" detainees?
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That's what Bob Baer (author of "See No Evil") said about torture . He also said that the Israeli government stopped torturing several years ago. Why? Because you don't get reliable information out of your subject. The subject will say anything to have the pain stop.
Beside, once a member of al Qaeda is caught I'm sure that al Qaeda's "command and control" will change their plans for any near future attacks. Again, why? Simple, stupid; they know that they are going to make him talk...unless you believe that John Wayne won the "West", the "good guys" wear white hats, your mommy was your friend and nobody ever "cracks". Only Roger Ramjet believes he can take all that the "enemy" has to throw at him.
Torture is a non-productive tool that has been proven virtually useless in getting reliable info.
When Saddam Husein was captured and was awaiting trial, he was interrogated by the CIA in his prison cell. and, over several months of talking and questioning, Saddam revealed everything he had to offer...without torture!!! The CIA operative who sat in Saddam's cell said he made Saddam like him and became "friends" with him. He appealed to Saddam's human side; talked about his children , family and friends in a non-threatening way. Once Saddam was "de-fanged" and had nothing left of "the old life" he began to open up and tell the agent what he wanted to know. That's the way you get credible information from your opponent. Not by beating him nearly to death. Terrorists live with death every day, so, death to them is a welcome visitor that will come calling when the time is right.
So, torture doesn't work and death doesn't scare them (Allah will welcome them into Paradise), so what is left? "Friendly" persuasion. That is the message Bob Baer gives us, and we ought to listen. It will be to our advantage to do so.