in international and domestic law the world over, however, is not because it is ineffectiveÂ
or counterproductive (though it is). Torture has been universally prohibited because inÂ
the aftermath of the second world war, the nations of the world agreed, under theÂ
leadership of the United States, that respect for basic human dignity required theÂ
absolute prohibition of torture under any circumstance.Â
-- Vincent Iacopino's Memo to John Yoo