Ability Quote by Christopher Hitchens
“Many of the points made by the antiwar movement have been consciously assimilated by the Pentagon and its lawyers and advisers. Precision weaponry is good in itself, but its ability to discriminate is improving and will continue to improve. Cluster bombs are perhaps not good in themselves, but when they are dropped on identifiable concentrations of Taliban troops, they do have a heartening effect.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Pentagon's Adaptation, 2003
The Pentagon adopts antiwar arguments to justify advanced weapons, which become more precise and can target specific enemy groups, making them seem morally acceptable.
In simple terms: The military uses antiwar ideas to legitimize better weapons that target specific foes.
Key Takeaway
Recognize how rhetoric can reshape ethical views on warfare.
Themes
war
ethics
military strategy
technology
public discourse
Mood
critical
analytical
concerned
Type
political
ethical
strategic
When to use this quote
- policy debates
- military planning
- human rights advocacy
- media analysis
Key Concepts
Just war theory
moral hazard
weapon discrimination
Questions to Reflect On
- How does language influence acceptance of new weapons?
- Can precision ever fully justify lethal force?
A Different Perspective
Improved precision does not eliminate civilian harm or moral concerns.
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