a dark age
Explanation:
with crime and poverty running rampid following sickness
This is a very person to person question. I don't think anyone can say somebody is right or wrong completely. In my personal opinion I don't think torture is an acceptable form of getting information. I understand that things like national security are important but at the end of the day we're humans not governments or businesses. Harsh interrogation is also a very vague statement, but my idea of harsh interrogation is grueling hours of constant questioning. Including common practices to make the people at the receiving of the interrogation uncomfortable. That I think is acceptable to do to someone in the example of national security.
Explanation:
I hope this is what you're looking for. I know its probably way too late for this to be useful but maybe someone else can use my answer.