Foreign Detainee Operations Post 9/11: An Example of the United States’ Ethical Compromise

Abstract: After 9/11, the United States government issued a series of policies that allowed tortuous interrogations to extract actionable information. After being a member of the Geneva Conventions and the Convention Against Torture, the U.S. directly defied these international treaties purely because it suited their interests during the retaliation against al-Qaeda. This paper seeks to address the lack of accountability that was present in the Bush administration and supporting departments while attempting to draft doctrine that capitalized on the subjectivity of torture laws, as well as the implications these actions have on the nation. This research takes a multi-case study approach which allows for an in-depth analysis of interrogative techniques, living conditions, and the legal process