The problem, as far as I've been able to determine, is that the US has not actually ratified the protocols that define torture. So while it's illegal to torture people in the US, it's not technically illegal under US law for the Bush regime to redefine what's torture to exclude torture by waterboarding... None of which would matter if the Hague had some teeth and a proper, global jurisdiction.

Disclaimer: IANAL

- Jake

Friends come and go. Enemies accumulate.

Article 5

    1. Each State Party shall take such measures as may be necessary to establish its jurisdiction over the offences referred to in article 4 in the following cases:

        (a) When the offences are committed in any territory under its jurisdiction or on board a ship or aircraft registered in that State;

        (b) When the alleged offender is a national of that State;

        (c) When the victim is a national of that State if that State considers it appropriate.

    2. Each State Party shall likewise take such measures as may be necessary to establish its jurisdiction over such offences in cases where the alleged offender is present in any territory under its jurisdiction and it does not extradite him pursuant to article 8 to any of the States mentioned in paragraph I of this article.

    3. This Convention does not exclude any criminal jurisdiction exercised in accordance with internal law.

well under the torture convention it is a requirement that the law  covers US citizens who torture abroad.

Any idiot can face a crisis - it's day to day living that wears you out.