James Mitchell
Military Psychologist [1]
Possibly Hired by the CIA [2]
According to Mayer, he had never been an interrogator, nor observed an interrogation. [3]
Knew John Bruce Jessen[4]
He and Jessen claim they are against torture[7]
Mayer says he and Jessen worked with the Counterterrorism Center (CTC) [8]
He signed a Non-Disclosure Agreement and cannot discuss, basically, anything.[9][10]
companies[]
- Knowledge Works LLC (ran it)
- changed to Mitchell, Jessen & Associates. [11]
- What If, L.L.C.[14]
Michael Isikoff[]
He says that Mitchell, as a CIA contractor, 'took over' the interrogation of Abu Zubayda from the FBI, started using 'enhanced interrogation techniques', which influenced the FBI withdrawing from CIA interrogations. One of the sources he uses for this story is Ali Soufan, although Ali does not name Mitchell, and Isikoff deduces his name from other sources.[15]
Zubayda[]
Mayer has anonymous sources that quote Mitchell talking about Abu Zubayda. She claims many FBI agents had a very negative view of his treatment of Zubayda. [16]
SERE[]
Mitchell worked at the SERE program, which trained US military personnel to survive and resist torture. [17]
Mayer quotes Steve Kleinman on Mitchell, saying that Mitchell was very interested in 'Learned Helplessness'. Mitchell says he didn't use it in interrogations. [18]
Eban[]
Eban wrote an article, 'Rorschach and Awe'. She claims
- Mitchell and Bruce Jessen were put in charge of training in 'brutal techniques' the CIA was using
- quotes Steve Kleinman, being surprised that CIA hired people with no intelligence experience and who'd never done an interrogation.
- quotes Michael Rolince, criticizing their scientific ness.
- Mitchell and Jessen as Mormons
- claims there is a 'survival training industry' where SERE trainers can make money with govts and corporations as clients. compare with Christopher Hitchens talking about this industry as well in his vanity fair youtube interview.
notes[]
- ↑ Mayer, p 156-158
- ↑ ibid
- ↑ ibid
- ↑ ibid
- ↑ Mayer, p 163
- ↑ Eban
- ↑ ibid
- ↑ Mayer, p 172
- ↑ Isikoff, We could have...
- ↑ ABC ambush interview of Mitchell, Apr 2009
- ↑ Mayer, p 163
- ↑ Eban, Rorschach...
- ↑ Eban, Rorschach...
- ↑ Eban, Rorschach...
- ↑ Isikoff, We coud have...
- ↑ Mayer, p 156-158
- ↑ ibid
- ↑ Mayer, p 164
Mayer, Jane. The Dark Side, Doubleday, 2008, isbn 9780385526395
Isikoff, Michael. We could have done this the right way, Newsweek, 2009 Apr 26
Eban, Katherine (2007 jul 17). "Rorschach and Awe". Vanity Fair.