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July 25, 2008 10:35:21 PM CDT

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‘Collateral Damage’ Is an Exact Science

Posted Jul 30, 07 10:40 AM CDT in US,  Technology 

(Newser) – Technology allows US forces to know with precision how many civilians will die in targeted bombings—and at the beginning of the Iraq war, only those attacks expected to kill more than 30 civilians required approval from Rumsfeld or Bush, Salon reports. “‘Accident’ is not the right word,” said an activist.

Collateral damage is effectively legalized by military protocol, and drones can even count women and children near potential targets. With Iraqi and Afghan hearts and minds ever more at risk, civilian deaths have reportedly fallen off—but have also become more secretive, while NATO closely guards a “zero tolerance” casualties policy.

Source Salon

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Iraq  • Iraq war  • Afghanistan  • accident  • bombing  • civilian casualties  • collateral damage


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