The Burning Bride: James Risen's Exposé of the CIA's Covert War in Iraq

James Risen's 2006 book The Burning Bride is a meticulously researched and deeply disturbing account of the CIA's covert war in Iraq and the use of torture by American interrogators. Based on interviews with more than 100 people involved in the war, including CIA officers, military personnel, and Iraqi civilians, Risen's reporting reveals a pattern of systematic abuse and torture that began as early as 2002, three years before the revelations of Abu Ghraib. The book also documents the CIA's role in the insurgency in Iraq, and its efforts to suppress evidence of torture.

The Burning Bride

by James Risen

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	753 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	409 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

The CIA's Covert War in Iraq

The CIA's covert war in Iraq began in the early 1990s, when the agency began supporting Iraqi opposition groups that were seeking to overthrow Saddam Hussein. After the 9/11 attacks, the CIA's involvement in Iraq intensified, as the agency was tasked with gathering intelligence on Iraq's alleged weapons of mass destruction and supporting the US military in its invasion of the country in 2003.

From the outset, the CIA's covert war in Iraq was marked by a disregard for the rule of law and human rights. The agency's officers operated outside of the chain of command, and they were given wide latitude to use whatever methods they deemed necessary to achieve their objectives. This led to a pattern of systematic abuse and torture that was eventually exposed by Risen's reporting.

The Use of Torture

Risen's reporting reveals that the CIA began using torture on Iraqi detainees as early as 2002. The methods of torture used by the CIA included waterboarding, sleep deprivation, and stress positions. These methods were used in an attempt to extract information from detainees about Iraq's alleged weapons of mass destruction and about the insurgency.

The use of torture by the CIA was not only illegal, but it was also ineffective. The information that was extracted from detainees under torture was often unreliable, and it did not lead to the discovery of any weapons of mass destruction. In fact, the use of torture actually made the situation in Iraq worse, as it alienated the Iraqi people and fueled the insurgency.

The CIA's Role in the Insurgency

In addition to its use of torture, the CIA also played a significant role in the insurgency in Iraq. The agency's officers provided weapons and training to Iraqi insurgent groups, and they helped to plan attacks on American troops. The CIA's involvement in the insurgency was a major factor in the destabilization of Iraq, and it led to the deaths of thousands of Iraqi civilians and American soldiers.

The Suppression of Evidence

Throughout the war in Iraq, the CIA made repeated efforts to suppress evidence of torture and other abuses. The agency destroyed documents, threatened witnesses, and pressured the media to not report on its activities. The CIA's efforts to suppress evidence were ultimately unsuccessful, but they did delay the public's understanding of the full extent of the agency's wrongng.

The Burning Bride is a powerful and disturbing indictment of the CIA's covert war in Iraq. Risen's reporting reveals a pattern of systematic abuse and torture that was authorized by the highest levels of the US government. The book also documents the CIA's role in the insurgency in Iraq, and its efforts to suppress evidence of torture. The Burning Bride is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the dark side of the war in Iraq.

The Burning Bride

by James Risen

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	753 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	409 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE