John Leso
Encyclopedia
Major John Francis Leso is an American
psychologist
and officer in the United States Armed Services, who is reported to have aided JTF-GTMO interrogators in their interrogations. Dr. Leso is notable for his consultation on the interrogation of Mohammed al-Qahtani, the alleged 20th 9/11 hijacker. Information on Al-Qahtani's interrogation became public when a classified interrogation log was illegally leaked to Time Magazine. The identity of the perpetrator of this federal crime remains unknown. Leso's name was included in the leaked log, which triggered debate in the medical community about the role of psychologists in supporting military interrogations. Debate is ongoing about the effectiveness and ethics of the interrogation techniques used with Al-Qhatani, as some have considered them harsh and akin to torture. Although some activist psychologists have criticized Leso for "directing" the interrogation of Al-Qhatani, close scrutiny of public sources on the matter reveals that Leso's actual role and duties remain unclear.
, where he was enrolled in the ROTC.
Upon complettion of his undergraduate degree Leso was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant
.
Leso received his PhD
in Psychology from SUNY
, in Albany
New York
, in 1995.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
psychologist
Psychologist
Psychologist is a professional or academic title used by individuals who are either:* Clinical professionals who work with patients in a variety of therapeutic contexts .* Scientists conducting psychological research or teaching psychology in a college...
and officer in the United States Armed Services, who is reported to have aided JTF-GTMO interrogators in their interrogations. Dr. Leso is notable for his consultation on the interrogation of Mohammed al-Qahtani, the alleged 20th 9/11 hijacker. Information on Al-Qahtani's interrogation became public when a classified interrogation log was illegally leaked to Time Magazine. The identity of the perpetrator of this federal crime remains unknown. Leso's name was included in the leaked log, which triggered debate in the medical community about the role of psychologists in supporting military interrogations. Debate is ongoing about the effectiveness and ethics of the interrogation techniques used with Al-Qhatani, as some have considered them harsh and akin to torture. Although some activist psychologists have criticized Leso for "directing" the interrogation of Al-Qhatani, close scrutiny of public sources on the matter reveals that Leso's actual role and duties remain unclear.
Academic career
Leso attended Johns Hopkins UniversityJohns Hopkins University
The Johns Hopkins University, commonly referred to as Johns Hopkins, JHU, or simply Hopkins, is a private research university based in Baltimore, Maryland, United States...
, where he was enrolled in the ROTC.
Upon complettion of his undergraduate degree Leso was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant
Second Lieutenant
Second lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces.- United Kingdom and Commonwealth :The rank second lieutenant was introduced throughout the British Army in 1871 to replace the rank of ensign , although it had long been used in the Royal Artillery, Royal...
.
Leso received his PhD
PHD
PHD may refer to:*Ph.D., a doctorate of philosophy*Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*PHD finger, a protein sequence*PHD Mountain Software, an outdoor clothing and equipment company*PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
in Psychology from SUNY
State University of New York
The State University of New York, abbreviated SUNY , is a system of public institutions of higher education in New York, United States. It is the largest comprehensive system of universities, colleges, and community colleges in the United States, with a total enrollment of 465,000 students, plus...
, in Albany
Albany, New York
Albany is the capital city of the U.S. state of New York, the seat of Albany County, and the central city of New York's Capital District. Roughly north of New York City, Albany sits on the west bank of the Hudson River, about south of its confluence with the Mohawk River...
New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, in 1995.
Professional career
| Behavioral Science Consultation Team Behavioral Science Consultation Team The Department of Defense authorized Behavioral Science Consultation Teams to study the detainees it holds in extrajudicial detention.The teams are controversial because some critics consider their participation in what is called enhanced interrogation of detainees in the war on terror a breach of... JTF-GTMO |
Leso was a member of the Behavioral Science Consultation Team Behavioral Science Consultation Team The Department of Defense authorized Behavioral Science Consultation Teams to study the detainees it holds in extrajudicial detention.The teams are controversial because some critics consider their participation in what is called enhanced interrogation of detainees in the war on terror a breach of... responsible for assisting the interrogation of Mohammed al Qahtani. |
| Staff Psychologist at Walter Reed | In 2003 Leso was a staff Psychologist at the Walter Reed Medical Center, in Maryland Maryland Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east... , one of the US military's largest medical facilities. |
| Austrian Embassy | On August 24, 2005 a newsletter from the Albany University Psychology Department stated: "...and John Leso left Walter Reed and is now working in the U.S. Embassy in Austria." |
See also
- Larry C. JamesLarry C. JamesLarry C. James is an American psychologist, author and former officer in the United States Army.James is notable for serving as Joint Task Force Guantanamo's chief psychologist in 2003, and as Abu Ghraib's chief psychologist in 2004.-Military career:...
- Nuremberg CodeNuremberg CodeThe Nuremberg Code is a set of research ethics principles for human experimentation set as a result of the Subsequent Nuremberg Trials at the end of the Second World War.-Background:...
- James Elmer MitchellJames Elmer MitchellJames Elmer Mitchell is a psychologist who was the architect of the U.S. torture program after 9/11. A United States Air Force retiree, Mitchell was hired in 2002 by the Central Intelligence Agency with Bruce Jessen to design their enhanced interrogation techniques...
- Behavioral Science Consultation TeamBehavioral Science Consultation TeamThe Department of Defense authorized Behavioral Science Consultation Teams to study the detainees it holds in extrajudicial detention.The teams are controversial because some critics consider their participation in what is called enhanced interrogation of detainees in the war on terror a breach of...