This week on CounterSpin: The depiction of torture on primetime TV has reportedly increased since 2001; this is particularly so in scenes where supposed "good guys" are the torturers. But as TV dramas and policy discussions portraying torture in a positive light are on the rise, so too are myths about torture's effectiveness and regrettable necessity. We'll talk to University of Wisconsin history Professor Alfred McCoy, the author of A Question of Torture: CIA Interrogation, From the Cold War to the War on Terror.

Also on the show: Was Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice’s recent trip to the Middle East a success? It’d be easy to be confused by the media coverage: stories headlined “Rice’s talks with Olmert, Abbas accomplish little,” battled with those announcing “Rice declares Olmert-Abbas meeting a success.” We’ll ask Ali Abunimah author of the new book One State: A Bold Proposal to End the Israeli-Palestinian Impasse to help decode the story.

Links:

—A Question of Torture: CIA Interrogation, From the Cold War to the War on Terror, by Alfred McCoy

—One State: A Bold Proposal to End the Israeli-Palestinian Impasse, Ali Abunimah