S2E14 The Torture Report
Aug 17, 2026 · 34m
Summary
John Kiriakou details the CIA’s torture program, contrasting Abu Ghraib’s abuse with intentional, policy-driven torture like waterboarding. He discusses the Senate Intelligence Committee’s findings that torture was ineffective and that the CIA misled officials and destroyed evidence. Kiriakou reflects on his imprisonment for whistleblowing, the lack of accountability for perpetrators, and the legal cover-ups that enabled these human rights violations.
Topics discussed
Sponsors and introduction to the CIA torture program
Abu Ghraib abuses and the cover-up of torture
Senate investigation and John Kiriakou's imprisonment
CIA defense of torture and the SSCI report findings
Kiriakou's prosecution and the destruction of evidence
Sponsors and podcast recommendations
Senate committee investigation and CIA obstruction
Details of brutal interrogation techniques and deaths
Sponsors and the 20 key findings of the Senate report
CIA knowledge of illegality and Kiriakou's release
Credits and final sponsor messages
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