CIA Interrogation Tapes and Oversight of the War on Terror
Experts discussed the CIA's destruction of interrogation videotapes and oversight of the war on terror at a discussion hosted by ACS. The panelists were Marty Lederman, Dan Marcus, Elisa Massimino, David Rivkin, and Frederick "Fritz" Schwarz. Streaming video from the event, and more information about the panelists, is available here.
Marty Lederman and Frederick "Fritz" Schwarz discuss whether waterboarding is torture.
Dan Marcus says the CIA's "culture of secrecy" makes effective Congressional oversight essential.
Elisa Massimino explores the circumstances surrounding the tapes' destruction, conflicts of interest in the investigation of what occurred, and the key issue at stake.
Fritz Schwarz says the Congressional investigation should take priority over a criminal investigation.
Elisa Massimino discusses the need to examine the legality of the conduct depicted in the tapes.
Marty Lederman, Dan Marcus, and David Rivkin respond to a reporter's question about the challenges that Attorney General Michael Mukasey faces resulting from the destruction of the CIA tapes and the question of whether to define waterboarding as torture.
Dan Marcus questions the effectiveness of the "gang of eight" in overseeing CIA investigations and calls for greater openness from the intelligence community.