Interrogation techniques' efficacy wasn't scrutinized

[struggle4progress]

Officials: CIA's assertions held sway for years

By Greg Miller | Washington Bureau
April 26, 2009

WASHINGTON -- The CIA used an arsenal of severe interrogation techniques on Al Qaeda prisoners for nearly seven years without seeking a rigorous assessment of whether the methods were effective or necessary, according to current and former U.S. officials familiar with the matter.

The failure to conduct a comprehensive examination occurred despite calls to do so as early as 2003. That year, the agency's inspector general circulated drafts of a report that raised deep concerns about the use of waterboarding and other methods, and recommended a study by outside experts on whether those techniques worked ...

"Nobody with expertise or experience in interrogation ever took a rigorous, systematic review of the various techniques -- enhanced or otherwise -- to see what resulted in the best information," said a senior U.S. intelligence official involved in overseeing the program.

As a result, there was never a determination of "what you could do without the use of enhanced techniques," said the official, who like others, spoke on condition of anonymity ...

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-interrogations-bdapr26,0,5011078.story

[EFerrari]

1. This article sounds like the next in the series :"We didn't know it was wrong"

and I don't believe a word of it

[struggle4progress]

3. It's "Where is that memo I wrote to cover my butt?" time for sure. Still, as the old

show-biz saying goes, As long they're talking about it, who cares what they're saying about it? There will be quite a lot of BS, of course, such as the recently heard complaint I really did object in writing but the bastaads may have destroyed all the copies! At least the present moment offers good opportunities for lots of questions that will beg for documented answers

[EFerrari]

4. The more they talk, the better, imo. n/t

[BlooInBloo]

2. Well duh. They tortured just because they wanted to torture...

Since effectiveness wasn't the goal, there's no reason why it would be measured.