1) The U.S. drone strike that was supposed to target an Islamic State car bomber in Kabul killed 10 civilians, including 7 children, the military admitted.
It was clear to me from the outset that this a was what used to be called a "signature strike."
nytimes.com/2021/09/17/us/…
It was clear to me from the outset that this a was what used to be called a "signature strike."
nytimes.com/2021/09/17/us/…
2) I watched the @nytimes video report last weekend. It was obvious that the military made critical areas. But the military didn't have access to CCTV footage, which showed the man carrying multiple empty water jugs in a single hand, etc.
nytimes.com/video/world/as…
nytimes.com/video/world/as…
@nytimes 3) This was a tragic final act of the U.S. presence in Afghanistan. It also demonstrates why relying on "over the horizon" strikes to deal with AL Qaeda and the Islamic State is fraught with peril.
@nytimes 4) This strike happened while the U.S. was in country. Without assets in country, gathering intelligence and executing what General McKenzie wrongly called a "righteous strike" becomes all the more difficult.
@nytimes 5) It was hard enough with the National Directorate of Security, the Afghan Army and Police, and others helping to gather information. Now there are no organic assets the U.S. can rely on for reliable targeting information
@nytimes 6) Without solid human intelligence, "over the horizon" becomes "over the rainbow."
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