2. Why? because cluster munitions are even less precise and do more damage to civilians than comparable weapons. http://nyti.ms/1OQ726q
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3. But the real problem here is not the kind of bomb but THAT Saudi Arabia is bombing Yemen at all (with US logistical support).
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4. Even if Saudi Arabia were adhering strictly to jus in bello (how a war is fought) norms we'd see 20% fewer civilian deaths? 10% fewer?
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5. This marginal difference in civilian deaths is significant but it is the smaller part of the story. Or should be anyway.
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6. In the war reporting & op-edding of the "quality" U.S. media like NYTimes, questions of "how" war is fought take up too much space.
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7. Instead of fixating on violations of "how" war is supposed to be fought, media should look harder at "whether" a war should be fought.
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8.
#IHL violations get so much attention in part b/c well-funded NGOs are all over the issue, and can supply readymade stories to media. -
9. Reporting on tactics is much easier than reporting on strategy, which requires longer form, deeper knowledge. So
#IHL gets spotlight. -
10.
#IHL, by the way = "international humanitarian law," the euphemistic term of art for norms of *how* war is supposed to be fought. -
11. Focusing on violations of the laws of armed conflict can end up absolving the rest of the war that adheres to
#IHL. -
12. And
#IHL, contrary to much liberal opinion, is more about permitting & authorizing lethal violence than humanely restraining it. -
13. Who, by the way, do you think wrote the laws of armed conflict anyway? They're a tool to optimize military force: http://www.tomdispatch.com/post/175529/tomgram%3A_chase_madar,_legal_atrocities/ …
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14. So it's good that NYTimes reported
@HRW's findings on KSA's use of cluster bombs. But let's keep this in perspective. Rant over.
End of conversation
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