The Pentagon unveiled comprehensive guidance on Thursday, outlining significant changes aimed at minimizing civilian casualties resulting from U.S. military operations. This initiative follows a directive from Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in the fall of 2022, prompted by a series of incidents involving civilian casualties during U.S. military actions.
The Defense Department’s instruction responds to well-publicized instances of civilian harm caused by U.S. military operations in recent years. Among the key modifications, the guidance mandates senior civilian and military leaders within the Department of Defense (DOD) to designate a senior official or flag officer to spearhead efforts to mitigate civilian harm within their respective organizations. The objective is to integrate this new ethos throughout the department and geographic combatant commands.
Signed by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin himself, this guidance solidifies the changes initially advocated by the secretary last fall, safeguarding them against potential reversal by future administrations.
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However, the release of this guidance comes at a sensitive juncture for the DOD, coinciding with global concerns about Israel’s use of U.S.-supplied weaponry in Gaza. The announcement, made via press release on the Thursday before Christmas, aligns with escalating pressure on President Joe Biden to reconsider military aid to Israel.
Marc Garlasco, a former Pentagon official and military adviser at PAX Protection of Civilians, a Dutch NGO, remarked, “The U.S. DOD is placing new requirements on how American forces are to protect civilians in conflict just as Israel has killed 20,000 civilians in Gaza with American bombs.” Despite this timing, Garlasco and representatives from humanitarian organizations commend Austin for prioritizing this initiative, foreseeing tangible improvements.
The reforms envisioned by Austin in fall 2022 gained traction amid intense criticism of the Pentagon’s inability to prevent civilian casualties in Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan. Notably, the New York Times uncovered a concealed 2019 strike in Syria that claimed the lives of numerous women and children, and a flawed American drone strike in Kabul during the Afghanistan withdrawal in August 2021, resulting in the deaths of 10 innocent people.
“This policy is a welcome leap forward by the U.S. military in how it conducts military operations,” said Garlasco, emphasizing its potential to save civilian lives and enhance operational outcomes for the U.S. military.
A noteworthy aspect of the guidance is the inclusion of external information, including data from the press and non-governmental organizations, during operational planning and investigations. Previously, the DOD predominantly relied on its internal intelligence.
To sustain senior-level attention, the guidance mandates the identification of lead officers to coordinate efforts aimed at reducing civilian harm. Furthermore, the Pentagon is directed to explore and adopt emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence and augmented reality, to develop weapons that minimize civilian harm.
While the section on providing security assistance to U.S. allies lacks specificity, requiring assessments by combatant commands and the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, Annie Shiel, the U.S. advocacy director for the Center for Civilians in Conflict, emphasizes that the success of this policy hinges on its implementation and actual outcomes for civilians affected by past U.S. operations.
