Tag Archives: Torture

Views You Can Use: The CIA Torture Report Goes Public

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U.S. News Associate Editor referenced Mark in his piece, saying: ‘Mark Fallon, who worked as an interrogator for more than 30 years, wrote in Politico, “It’s official: torture doesn’t work.” Fallon said he has long held that belief, and politicians like former Vice President Dick Cheney who asserted its efficacy (and continue to staunchly defend the CIA’s interrogation program) are just plain wrong. “Yes, torture makes people talk — but what they say is often untrue,” he wrote. Not only is it ineffective, but also incredibly costly – legally, morally and strategically. “Over the coming days, you’ll be hearing numerous torture defenders claim it kept Americans safe,” he wrote. “Don’t believe them.”’

Event Date
2014-12-09
Pub/Org
U.S. News
Link to Publication or Organization
http://www.usnews.com/opinion/articles/2014/12/09/senate-intelligence-committee-report-says-cia-tortured-and-lied-after-9-11

The Scientists Trying to End Torture

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Motherboard reporter Kaleigh Rogers interviewed Mark for her article in Motherboard about the CIA torture program.  Mark told Motherboard he was unable to convince leaders that rapport-building techniques would be more effective.  Mark told Motherboard he still wonders what intelligence the CIA might have missed by not using tried-and-true methods and that the new scientific research can now inform interrogation planning.

Event Date
2014-12-12
Pub/Org
Motherboard
Link to Publication or Organization
http://motherboard.vice.com/read/the-scientists-trying-to-end-torture

The War Hero and the Chicken Hawk

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Timothy Egan writes about Mark in his piece in the New York Times Opinion Page.  Eagan wrote, “What Fallon concluded is what any fair-minded reader of the Senate report will conclude: that “at no time” did the torture program produce intelligence that averted a terrorist threat. Nor did it lead to Osama bin Laden.”

Event Date
2014-12-11
Pub/Org
New York Times
Link to Publication or Organization
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/12/opinion/the-war-hero-and-the-chicken-hawk.html?_r=1

CNNi talks to security consultant Mark Fallon about the CIA torture report

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Mark was interviewed by CNN International about the release of the Senate SSCI Torture Report executive summary and responded to comments made by CIA Director John Brennan.  Mark emphasized that there has been a lack of accountability and there needs to be an assessment of how much damage has been done by not resorting to tried and true interrogation methods that in the past had effectively elicited reliable intelligence and evidence from terror suspects.

Event Date
2014-12-14
Pub/Org
CNN
Link to Publication or Organization
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXJlDtA7TK0

Interrogation in the 21st Century: Merging Science and Human Rights

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Peter Bergen moderated a panel discussion with Dr Melissa Russano, Dr. Christian Meissner, Colonel Steven Kleinman, USAF-retired and Mark focusing on abusive tactics, the efficacy of interrogation methods and whether or not abusive tactics were necessary to elicit intelligence. Panelists discussed the efficacy of ethical, science-based methods that treat detainees with respect and elicit accurate and reliable information.

Event Date
2015-01-30
Pub/Org
New America
Link to Publication or Organization
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INVJdGRW3vY

U.S. Develops New ‘Soft” Techniques To End Torture

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Mark told Newsweek that preconceived fixation can blind an interrogators judgement to other leads and compromise their judgement.  Mark emphasized that the public’s idea of torture as a necessary evil must change.  He said torture has made us less safe.

Event Date
2015-01-30
Pub/Org
Newsweek
Link to Publication or Organization
http://www.newsweek.com/2015/02/06/usa-develops-new-soft-techniques-end-torture-302910.html

CIA Torture Based on ‘voodoo science’ of advocates – US Intelligence Expert

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Sophie Schvardnadze interviewed Mark for Russia Television show called “CIA torture based on ‘voodoo science’ of advocates – US intelligence expert.”  Mark spoke about combating violent extremist, ransom for hostages, and torture.  Mark said the CIA EIT program was ill-advised and not based on any evidence-based research and and the White House, Congress, media and American public were misled.

Event Date
2015-02-12
Pub/Org
RT
Link to Publication or Organization
https://www.rt.com/shows/sophieco/230475-cia-torture-terror-war/