Critical Analysis: Torture at Abu Ghraib Followed CIA's Manual by Alfred W. McCoy - Essay Example

Critical Analysis: Torture at Abu Ghraib Followed CIA's Manual by Alfred W. McCoy The article entitled “Torture at Abu Ghraib Followed CIA's Manual” written by Alfred W. McCoy, was published in the Boston Globe on May 14, 2004. McCoy was acknowledged to be a professor of history at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The contents of the article seemed to be a disturbing masterpiece evidencing proofs of torture from a well respected intelligence organization, the Central Intelligence Agency.

The author proffered issues relative to an innovative form of psychological, ‘no-touch’ torture that superceded the infliction of physical pain. Believed to be more effective in soliciting information from ‘subjects’, the discourse finally revealed its devastating and long lasting effect that erodes the stability in psychological state of mind of those subjected to this approach. McCoy was effective in his style of presenting a clear structure through initially detailing the features and methods of the psychological torture to achieve its goals.

By providing illustrations through narrative depiction of the details that go through the various stages, readers are moved and made to empathize with the victim. Through the use of citations McCoy tried to objectively indicate the use of this method from the time it was codified in 1963 up to emergent and validated incidents that supported evidence of its application in contemporary times (arrest of Al Qaeda suspects, September 2001; at Bagram Air Base near Kabul, 2002). The contents, though chilling in nature, were sufficient to support the author’s claim of the existence, application and continued denial, not only of democratic rights, but more so of the mere human rights that each and every individual (not subjects) are supposed to avail.

Equally disturbing though is the persistent denial of officers of detention centers (such as General Geoffrey Miller, former chief of the GuantanamoDetention center and now prison commander in Iraq) of this no-touch torture that continue to pervade prisoners all over the world. A quick check on the validity of Miller’s existence proved that his nomenclature as the “torture expert for Iraq and Guantanamo” (Wiolawa Press, 2004) is effectively supported. With regard to the veracity and credibility of the information provided, the author somewhat failed to provide significant sources to support relevant contentions.

Although incidents were mentioned, no other secondary authoritative references were cited, referenced, nor acknowledged. But since the reported incidents were known globally, the contentions were fairly reliable. For instance, upon verifying the mentioned “the arrest of Al Qaeda suspects since September 2001, torture was maintained as a US intelligence practice by delivering suspects to foreign agencies, including the Philippine National Police, who broke a bomb plot in 1995” (McCoy, par. 7), one was able to seek support from The Christian Science Monitor (2002) as it reported that “Filipino police uncover 1995 leads to Sept.

11 plot Recent arrests are providing new clues linking Al Qaeda to other bombing plots” (par. 1). In conclusion, the article “Torture at Abu Ghraib Followed CIA's Manual” by Alfred W. McCoy has been validated as credible and reliable in terms of the unbiased and accurate information proffered by the author. Despite the controversial nature of his report, his commitment to reveal the truth to the world gained the readers’ admiration and empathy to the victims of these atrocities.Work CitedMcCoy, Alfred W.

“Torture at Abu Ghraib Followed CIA's Manual.” The Boston Globe.The Christian Science Monitor. Filipino police uncover 1995 leads to Sept. 11 plotRecent arrests are providing new clues linking Al Qaeda to other bombing plots. 14 February 2002. Web. 24 March 2011. Wiolawa Press. General Geoffrey Miller. 10 May 2004. Web. 24 March 2011. < http://www.wiolawapress.com/generalg.htm>