John Heilemann: CIA Torture Debate Is Very Much Alive

The transcript discusses the CIA's use of enhanced interrogation techniques post-9/11, with John Brennan stating the effectiveness of these methods is unknowable. Senator Feinstein's office challenges Brennan's claims, asserting that torture did not lead to significant intelligence gains. The debate remains heated, with political pressure on Democrats to defend the report. The report is criticized for being partisan, and its length makes it difficult for the public to engage with. The discussion highlights the complexity of intelligence gathering and the political dynamics surrounding it.

What was John Brennan's stance on the effectiveness of enhanced interrogation techniques?

• He claimed they were the only way to gather intelligence.

• He believed they were highly effective.

• He thought they were completely ineffective.

• He stated their effectiveness was unknowable.

What was Senator Feinstein's main argument against the use of EITs?

• They were too costly.

• They did not lead to significant intelligence breakthroughs.

• They were too time-consuming.

• They were not used frequently enough.

How does the transcript describe the nature of the debate over the report?

• It is a debate that everyone agrees on.

• It is a debate that has been forgotten.

• It remains a heated and ongoing debate.

• It is a calm and resolved discussion.

What challenge is associated with the Feinstein report according to the transcript?

• It is difficult to get people to read the full report.

• It lacks any real-world examples.

• It is too short to be comprehensive.

• It is perceived as non-partisan.

What philosophical figure is John Brennan compared to in the transcript?

• Socrates

• Plato

• Immanuel Kant

• Aristotle