"No Stupid Rules of Engagement": Ahead of Iran War, DoD Halted Efforts to Limit Civilian Deaths
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Summary
Takeaways
- ❖Iran accuses the US and Israel of extensive civilian casualties and damage to civilian sites in the first 12 days of war.
- ❖US Defense Secretary Pete Hegsath described recent days as the 'most intense' US attacks in Iran.
- ❖Senator Richard Blumenthal expressed deep anger and dissatisfaction with classified briefings on the war, citing unanswered questions about costs and the path toward deploying ground troops in Iran.
- ❖The Pentagon systematically destroyed teams and processes designed to limit civilian casualties and investigate US military operations.
- ❖Defense Secretary Hegsath's public statements, such as 'no stupid rules of engagement,' indicate a shift towards unchecked military force.
- ❖Legal experts warn that such rhetoric and actions could lead to US officials and service members facing international war crimes prosecutions.
- ❖President Trump repeatedly denied US involvement in a missile strike on an Iranian girls' school, despite evidence pointing to a US-made Tomahawk missile, and suggested Iran bombed its own school.
- ❖Israel is escalating attacks on Lebanon, displacing nearly 800,000 people and raising concerns about 'Gaza logic,' ethnic cleansing, and territorial seizure.
- ❖International law experts have been quietly leaving the Trump administration, sensing their advice is unwanted or could lead to retaliation.
Insights
1Pentagon Dismantled Civilian Casualty Mitigation Efforts
The US Department of Defense, under Defense Secretary Pete Hegsath, systematically eliminated teams and processes established after 9/11 to learn from past conflicts and reduce civilian harm. These teams performed functions like red-teaming strike proportionality, investigating operations, and publishing civilian casualty reports. Their removal occurred just as the US entered a major conflict with Iran.
Akbar Shahed Ahmed's reporting, citing sources within the military and close to discussions, details that people tracking civilian casualties were reassigned, and conversations about international law or war crimes ceased. ( - )
2Defense Secretary Hegsath's 'No Stupid Rules of Engagement' Doctrine
Defense Secretary Pete Hegsath publicly stated that the US military operates with 'no stupid rules of engagement' and 'maximum authorities' granted by the president, designed to 'unleash American power, not shackle it.' He described the conflict as 'never meant to be a fair fight' and advocated 'punching them while they're down.'
Hegsath's direct quotes: 'We have quote no stupid rules of engagement.' (), 'Our war fighters have maximum authorities granted personally by the president and yours truly. Our rules of engagement are bold, precise, and designed to unleash American power, not shackle it.' ( - ), 'This was never meant to be a fair fight and it is not a fair fight. We are punching them while they're down which is exactly how it should be.' ( - )
3Increased Risk of War Crimes Prosecutions for US Personnel
Experts warn that the aggressive rhetoric and dismantling of legal guardrails by the Trump administration and Defense Secretary Hegsath significantly increase the risk of US officials and service members facing investigations and prosecutions for war crimes under international law. International law does not accept 'following orders' as a defense for unlawful strikes.
The guest states, 'The international criminal court issue its first arrest warrants for leaders aligned with the US... often citing the statements of those leaders themselves.' ( - ) He adds, 'It's not a defense under international law to say I was following orders from the president or from Pete Hex.' ( - ) He also notes that experts on international law have been leaving the administration. ( - )
4Trump's Denial of US Role in Iranian School Strike
President Trump repeatedly claimed Iran was responsible for a missile attack on a girls' primary school in southern Iran that killed 175 people, mostly girls, despite a New York Times analysis of missile fragments resembling a US-made Tomahawk cruise missile and video evidence. Trump suggested Iran acquired Tomahawks and bombed its own school, a claim even his Defense Secretary did not endorse.
A New York Times analysis of missile fragments from the site resembles a US-made Tomahawk cruise missile, and video shows a Tomahawk hitting the area. ( - ) Trump stated, 'whether it's Iran, who also has some tomahawks, they wish they had more, but uh whether it's Iran or somebody else, the fact that a tomahawk, a tomahawk is very generic.' ( - ) He was challenged by a reporter: 'you just suggested that Iran somehow got its hands on a tomahawk and bombed its own elementary school... you're the only person in your government saying this.' ( - )
5Israel's 'Gaza Logic' in Lebanon and Displacement Concerns
Israel is applying a 'Gaza playbook' to its escalating attacks in Lebanon, leading to nearly a million Lebanese being displaced. This pattern of attacks and evacuation orders raises fears among observers of ethnic cleansing and potential territorial seizure, with some far-right Israeli officials openly discussing seizing territory.
The guest states, 'Israel's applying Gaza Logic to Lebanon with Trump's blessing.' () and 'what a lot of people are seeing in this in the kind of pattern of Israeli attacks and orders to leave areas is concern about ethnic cleansing.' ( - ) He adds, 'some far-right Israeli officials and people close to the government are already saying that Israel would want to seize territory.' ( - )
Lessons
- Demand transparency and accountability from government officials regarding civilian casualties and adherence to international law in military operations.
- Educate yourself on international humanitarian law and the responsibilities of military forces to protect civilians during armed conflict.
- Support organizations that monitor civilian casualties and advocate for accountability for potential war crimes.
Quotes
"I emerged from this briefing as dissatisfied and angry, frankly, as I have from any past briefing in my 15 years in the Senate. I am left with more questions than answers, especially about the cost of the war."
"Our war fighters have maximum authorities granted personally by the president and yours truly. Our rules of engagement are bold, precise, and designed to unleash American power, not shackle it. This was never meant to be a fair fight and it is not a fair fight. We are punching them while they're down which is exactly how it should be."
"It's not a defense under international law to say I was following orders from the president or from Pete Hex."
"Tomahawk missile likely destroyed that Iranian girl school. So, will the Americans will the US accept any responsibility? ... whether it's Iran, who also has some tomahawks, they wish they had more, but uh whether it's Iran or somebody else, the fact that a tomahawk, a tomahawk is very generic. It's sold to other countries, but that's being investigated right now."
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