Up Close: Terrorism, Torture, PTSD, and Radicalization
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Dr. Stephen Xenakis presented at the Hidden Wounds of War Conference May 19, 2016. Stephen N. Xenakis, M.D. - Psychiatrist - Retired Brigadier General, and former Commander of the Southeast Regional Army Medical Command, Anti-Torture Advisor, Physicians for Human Rights
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Up Close: Terrorism, Torture, PTSD, and Radicalization
- 2. 2016 Hidden Wounds of War Conference Thank You to our Sponsors
- 3. Stephen N. Xenakis, M.D. Brigadier General (Ret) U.S. Army
- 4. Slide 4 of 16
- 5. BG Richard W. Thomas/ASG-FP/(703)693-5601/richard.william.thomas@us.army.mil
- 6. • Abu Ghraib: torture & the war on terrorism • Inaction of military medics • High standard of medical care • Obligated to report torture & abuse • DoD: “Outside of the bounds of doctor-patient relationship” • Role of clinicians, pastors, & lawyers • Impact of individual & human rights • Leadership must be proactive Slide 6 of 16
- 7. • Medical Ethics – First, do no harm – Beneficence - duty to maximize benefit – Justice - fairness in competing claims – Autonomy – respect for the individual • Military Ethics – Protect & defend the Constitution – Oath is NOT to the Commander-in-Chief – Rule of law prevails – Officers must disobey illegal orders Slide 7 of 16
- 8. Slide 8 of 16 Once an army is involved in war, there is a beast in every fighting man, which begins tugging at its chains, and a good officer must learn early on how to keep the beast under control, both in his men and himself (1942).
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- 12. Slide 12 of 16
- 13. Slide 13 of 16
- 14. Slide 14 of 16
- 15. Slide 15 of 16
- 16. • Shaving • Diapering • Hooding • Isolation • White noise • Uncomfortably cool environment • Restricted diet • Water dousing • Sleep deprivation • Attention grasp Slide 16 of 16
- 17. • Stress positions • Walling • Cramped confinement • Waterboarding Slide 17 of 16
- 18. Slide 18 of 16
- 19. • Non-nation state actors • Innovative & varied lethal weapons • Non-traditional coalitions & alliances • Revolution, insurgency, & civil disruption • Role of clinicians, pastors, & lawyers Slide 19 of 16
- 20. Slide 20 of 16 Sir Edmund Burke: “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.”
Editor's Notes
- Profound impact: culture of fear, torture, & politic Musing on impact: ‘Red Scare’ of 1950s – and now ‘a terrorist behind every bush’ The impact of the Vietnam War – on policy, society, & signs of “group think”
- Interview for PD ASD(HA) in 2004 – senior health official in DoD- intersection of Abu Ghraib & injury to soldiers No playbook for this attack on US soil Burden on the senior officer - “the buck stops here” – as GEN Cavazos said – “all the easy decisions have been made before the problem gets to me” Not a far cry from Guantanamo to legislation: Focus the right spotlight on mental health Our state of mind anchors or well-being, & anchors or personal & collective security Torture is wrong & dehumanizing Ignoring the less fortunate & marginalizing in our society is dehumanizing We have a collective & community responsibility to uphold the fundamental principles of this democracy – founded in human rights – linking torture & securing our communities in a humane way – and speaking up against the violations of human rights. Invited by PHR to assist.
- Trends over the next 10 years Patrick Kennedy – leading changes in mental health – predicts ‘chaos’ If we don’t lead – then we will be dragged along – military hat of when in charge, take charge’ Not a far cry from Guantanamo to legislation: Focus the right spotlight on mental health Our state of mind anchors or well-being, & anchors or personal & collective security Torture is wrong & dehumanizing Ignoring the less fortunate & marginalizing in our society is dehumanizing We have a collective & community responsibility to uphold the fundamental principles of this democracy – founded in human rights – linking torture & securing our communities in a humane way – and speaking up against the violations of human rights.
- Memorable quote from GEN Marshall Burden of senior leadership – containing the violence. Medics speak “truth to power.”
- Burden of senior leadership – containing the violence. Medics speak “truth to power.”
- He grew up in prison – from Bagram at 15 y/o to Guantanamo – 16-24 y/o.
- Plead guilty to murder – 8 year sentence, with transfer to Canada after 1 year. Faced sentence of 40 years for material support, because of video of his assisting with training of building IEDs. Separate case in Canada – arrived in 2012.
- Released on bail.
- Ammar’s uncle is KSM, & his cousin is Ramzi Yousef. Baluch Tradition of first-cousin marriage.
- Clip 3 First interrogated by the FBI. Ali Soufan – Black Banners – contends that retrieved all relevant information. Feinstein report corroborates. This is what happened when they got to the CIA. Mark Boal based this character on surreptitious disclosures by the CIA on his interrogation. ‘truth in fiction’
- Naïve, adventurous, cloistered young men – idealistic, lack critical thinking, seduced by FBI Hamzah Khan Adel Daoud And, in Chattanooga – Mohammed Youseff Abdulazeez
- Trends over the next 10 years Patrick Kennedy – leading changes in mental health – predicts ‘chaos’ If we don’t lead – then we will be dragged along – military hat of when in charge, take charge’ Not a far cry from Guantanamo to legislation: Focus the right spotlight on mental health Our state of mind anchors or well-being, & anchors or personal & collective security Torture is wrong & dehumanizing Ignoring the less fortunate & marginalizing in our society is dehumanizing We have a collective & community responsibility to uphold the fundamental principles of this democracy – founded in human rights – linking torture & securing our communities in a humane way – and speaking up against the violations of human rights.
- The psychological and work boundaries of our lives are very permeable. We must stand for our convictions and principles.