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The Army Field Manual has an appendix -- Appendix M -- which allows "touchless" forms of torture such as isolation, sleep deprivation, "fear up harsh", and perceptual deprivation. The fact some of these techniques may need "approval" does not change their coercive and inhumane aspect. In fact, they constitute the core coercive program of Guantanamo, now enshrined in the AFM for "enemy combatants".
Therefore, a portion of the AFM is in violation of Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions, if not the UN Convention on Torture.
Glenn, I'm surprised you have not seen this. For all readers, a discussion of these issues, including a discussion with Physicians for Human Rights on this issue, can be found at:
http://www.neverinournames.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=391 and http://valtinsblog.blogspot.com/2008/02/wages-of-fear-what-waterboarding-debate.html
Appendix M (and the full AFM) can be read at this link:
http://www.fas.org/irp/doddir/army/fm2-22-3.pdf
Don't fall for the bait and switch on the AFM. The CIA may ask for more, but they can live with the AFM as constituted. It is not that far different than the style of psychological torture they developed in the KUBARK interrogation manual, and causes lasting psychological harm to prisoners.
