Unless you've been living under a rock for the past few days, you've no doubt heard the news that Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the former "number three" of al-Qaeda, confessed to a number of terrorist actions, including the 9-11 attacks, the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, Richard Reid's attempt at shoe-bombing, the Bali bombing, and plans to assassinate Jimmy Carter. Pajamas Media has a good roundup of reactions and links to links here.
Since the story broke, commentators and pundits at various points on the left side of the political spectrum have been speculating that his confession was induced by torture. They conveniently forget that al-Qaeda training provides instructions on how to resist interrogation, including making allegations of torture to throw the interrogators off-balance and create controversy at home. And it's working. Not only are there calls for an investigation, but TV talking heads like Rosie O'Donnell are defending Mohammed, saying the US "robbed him of his humanity."
There's a very vague, gray line where "rough interrogation" crosses into torture. People opposed to the Administration or who see this war as more of a police matter tend to view anything rougher than harsh language as torture. While others, such as Charles Krauthammer, think there are limited conditions under which torture may not only be effective, but a moral necessity. I agree with him. The "lit fuse" scenario, in which you have limited time to prevent a terror attack and the man you hold in custody represents your only chance to stop it and save lives, justifies the use of torture.
If there is credible evidence (not just KSM's allegations) that Khalid Sheikh Mohammed was tortured and the situation didn't justify it, then, yes, there should be an investigation. And punishment if warranted. But let's be honest about the war we're fighting: this is not a police matter. We are dealing with fanatics who will happily massacre thousands in the name of their God. We will sometimes need to use nasty methods to stop them, to protect even those who despise their protectors. As Orwell once wrote:
People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.
And, Rosie, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed robbed himself of his humanity long ago.
LINKS: More on KSM at Power Line, Roger L. Simon, the Counterterrorism Blog, Michael Barone, and at Captain's Quarters here, here, and here.
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