This letter features reporting from "For a Century, the American Way of War Has Meant Killing Civilians" by Nick Turse
Dear Secretary Austin,
I would like to start out this letter by expressing my immense gratitude for your service both in uniform and leading the Defense Department. Creating and carrying out the policies of our armed forces is no easy task. In cases where war has broken out in the Middle East and Eastern Europe, it becomes the responsibility of the United States to help deescalate international conflicts or to protect allied nations.
I am writing to you with deep concern about a 2021 report of a botched US airstrike leaving 10 innocent civilians dead in Afghanistan. As a concerned citizen, I urge the Department of Defense to take immediate and measurable steps to prevent such casualties and prioritize civilian lives in all U.S. international actions.
Protecting the lives of civilians in times of war is vital in preserving the sanctity of life. I have many friends whose families reside in the battleground that has become Gaza. They worry every day about whether their extended family is still alive, their hearts heavy with uncertainty. The constant threat of violence and loss weighs on them. I see the anxiety in their faces whenever there is news of another airstrike, the fear that their loved ones may not be safe growing more palpable with each passing day.
While the United States has long committed itself to upholding human rights and protecting innocent lives globally, we must do more to ensure that these principles guide every facet of our international actions. An article titled “For a Century, the American Way of War Has Meant Killing Civilians” journalist Nick Turse from The Intercept says that the United States’ history of killing civilians has influenced other countries to do the same. Specifically, Israeli officials have justified their attacks on Gaza by citing methods employed by the United States and allied powers in World War II. Turse also reports that not all the necessary information is present, leading commanders to conduct airstrikes based on prejudice, judgment, and fragmented information that could potentially be wrong.
An unnamed strike cell analyst said in an interview with Turse that “We often didn’t have all the information that we should have had to conduct a strike.” This could easily be remedied by enhancing intelligence-gathering protocols to ensure targets are more accurately identified. A 2022 study from the U.S. Government Accountability Office says that comprehensive training programs for all military and contracted personnel on civilian protection strategies and deescalation tactics would also be invaluable, equipping individuals on the ground with the skills necessary to make decisions aligned with international humanitarian law.
In addition, a report from the Center for Naval Analyses suggests that establishing a third-party oversight for incidents involving civilian casualties and publishing the results of these investigations create transparency and public trust while reinforcing accountability. Although the Department of Defense already implements protocols for such investigations, providing public, detailed reports on the causes and circumstances of major incidents, especially those involving multiple casualties, would further increase credibility and reaffirm commitment to ethical standards and responsible conduct.
Furthermore, publicly available reports on incidents involving civilian casualties would introduce an additional layer of accountability for those responsible for such errors. This transparency could potentially prevent casualties by emphasizing the consequences of negligent or reckless actions, both at an institutional and individual level. By openly acknowledging and addressing mistakes, military and governmental agencies can demonstrate a willingness to learn from errors, reinforcing a culture of responsibility and continuous improvement.
Incorporating these approaches could serve to reinforce our nation’s dedication to human rights and ethical action on the global stage. I am hopeful that the Department of Defense will act on these recommendations, ensuring the United States continues to lead by example in promoting a more humanitarian approach to foreign policy. Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter. With focused efforts, I believe we can make meaningful progress towards ensuring civilian protection in all U.S. engagements.
Sincerely,
Aaron Lau
Aaron Lau is a high school senior at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Alexandria, Virginia.
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