There is a difference.
As left that other site said: the kind of torture they use today, waterboarding, sleep deprivation, and loud Rock Music is nothing compared to how they used to do it.
So a lot would depend on ones definition of torture the dictionary would be all but useless.
Good point.
The Israelis in the OT had the advantage of prophets and such telling them directly what God wanted them to do in regards to military action. For that matter, sometimes what they were to do was pretty brutal. It was the REASON that made the difference I think. God brought judgment on nations that way. I am sure He still does, only it is hard to see the big picture. One thing is for sure: The U.S. no longer earns His protection. We do not acknowledge Him. We do not reverence Him. We do not obey Him. He is clearly giving us over to depravity. Next step destruction. Hate to say it. There is still time for repentance and mercy. Time will tell.