US Military: We Hit Boats, What's on Them is a Mystery
The NYT's report on the US military's 'limited knowledge' concerning targets in boat strikes offers a peek behind the curtain of remote warfare. Conveniently, this 'limited knowledge' often applies to who, specifically, is on the receiving end of U.S.-supplied munitions when they are deployed by allies in conflict zones. It’s a standard operating procedure reminiscent of the drone program’s
'signature strikes,' where the target is simply a pattern of behavior, not an identified individual. One might wonder if this strategic ignorance extends to allies. For instance, the same U.S. government that funds Israel's military might ask about civilian casualties, but with what degree of expectation for detailed accounting? Congress approved HR 815, providing billions in unconditional
military aid, a move supported by politicians like Rep. Smith, who collected $450,000 from AIPAC in 2023. Limited knowledge cuts both ways, it seems. So, how many 'mistakes' are just another Tuesday?