WASHINGTON — Statistics compiled by the American-led military mission in Afghanistan indicate that 2,537 civilians were killed and 5,594 were wounded in 2009 and 2010, according to a study released Thursday.
Official military statistics provided to Science magazine show that about 88 percent of civilian casualties in Afghanistan over the past two years were caused by insurgents, while about 12 percent were the fault of American and coalition forces.
What's the argument here, that they kill more innocent people than we do, so somehow we are "more right"? Having spent most of my adult life as a serving military officer I understand full-well about civilian casualties in war, but this argument has no place in the public space. Using innocent civilian statistics to somehow morally justify a nation's actions seems obscene to me. Every civilian fatality, regardless of who is at fault, should be treated with the same moral importance as those of fallen U.S. service members, and not be used as fodder for who's right and wrong arguments.
1 comment:
Hello Eric,
This is my first visit to your blog and I am very impressed with your views on a variety of subjects.
About your post: unfortunately, US is again making the tried and tested mistakes in Africa (Libya). Instead of 'promoting peace' in the world through its unique ways, it should stop selling arms to fighting countries. You know, most of the arms killing millions today are made in the US. US has created too many a catastrophes to its favor.
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