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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsTrump taps former 'black site' prison operator for CIA deputy
By NAHAL TOOSI 02/02/17 06:21 PM EST
President Donald Trump has chosen veteran CIA officer Gina Haspel to serve as the agencys deputy director, a decision that could reignite controversy over the new presidents stance on torture.
Haspel, a career intelligence officer who joined the agency in 1985, will be the first female career CIA officer to serve as deputy director. Her experience includes having overseen a black site prison in Thailand where terrorism suspects faced harsh interrogation tactics such as waterboarding, according to multiple media reports.
Its not clear if Haspels elevation is a sign that the CIA will return to using such methods. But Trump has repeatedly voiced support for waterboarding and other tough measures, even though many in the intelligence world are deeply uncomfortable with resuming such methods, and leading lawmakers, such as Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona, have warned the president to avoid them.
In announcing her new role, CIA Director Mike Pompeo called Haspel an exemplary intelligence officer with an uncanny ability to get things done. We are fortunate that someone of her intellect, skill, and experience will be our deputy director, Pompeo said in a written statement.
http://www.politico.com/story/2017/02/trump-cia-black-sites-gina-haspel-234565
dalton99a
(81,433 posts)but was never prosecuted
Solly Mack
(90,762 posts)GliderGuider
(21,088 posts)Because there is so little of it.