The Terrorist We Torture: The Tale of Abdul Hakim Murad

"The Terrorist We Torture: The Tale of Abdul Hakim Murad": The case of Abdul Hakim Murad, who underwent torture in the Philippines before being transferred into American custody, is cited frequently in the literature by those who wish to use an example of torture "working." But Murad's case is not that straightforward. Various accounts collectively tell an inconsistent and incoherent story of Murad's guilt often relying on the near-repetition and recycling of unquestioned similar stories in the media. The result is a purpose-driven myth constructed over time to provide fodder for common, mistaken assumptions, and an official pro-torture argument. Ultimately, the Murad case says more about ourselves and the drive for a comforting narrative of how torture "works" than it does about the accused terrorist.