Casualties of War

[Jason Boyd]

     For years, drone strikes have been a proven method of targeting and eliminating enemy combatants who pose a threat to the U.S. Drones allow for a more convenient, less expensive, and less risky way for both intelligence gathering, spying, and military strikes against designated targets. However, the strikes aren’t always 100% efficient and sometimes kill innocent civilians.

     During the early hours of September 28^th, the U.S. acted upon intelligence and completed a drone strike against what government officials said were Islamic State (ISIS) militants. However, the U.N. Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) states those killed by the drone strike were not affiliated with ISIS and that they were civilians. An investigation into these claims is pending.

     Innocent civilian casualties of war actions are heart-breaking. It is very difficult to imagine an innocent person being killed as a result of bad intelligence. Though it is proclaimed that the actions of our military abroad are keeping us safer domestically, it is very sobering to receive reports that the lives of innocent people are being taken away as a part of the cost of our safety at home. May we remain vigilant in our efforts to maintain peace, but let us also consider and never forget the cost that it brings.

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-afghanistan-airstrike-idUSKCN1200FW

http://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2016-07-01/obama-orders-...