Using the torture and death in 2002 of an innocent Afghan taxi driver as the touchstone, this film examines changes after 9/11 in U.S. policy toward suspects in the war on terror. Soldiers, their attorneys, one released detainee, U.S. Attorney John Yoo, news footage and photos tell a story of abuse at Bagram Air Base, Abu Ghraib, and Guantanamo Bay. From Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, and Gonzalez came unwritten orders to use any means necessary. The CIA and soldiers with little training used sleep deprivation, sexual assault, stress positions, waterboarding, dogs and other terror tactics to seek information from detainees. Many speakers lament the loss of American ideals in pursuit of security. —IMDb
Interesting, effective doc. Gibney kept it fairly neutral, but you still can't help wanting to kick some of the ignorant US interrogators in the backs of THEIR knees. As appaling as it is to hear about / watch, I have to say that I'm fascinated by the fact that "invasion of personal space by a female" is an interrogation method. Cultural differences are truly fascinating.