Dave Philipps

Dave Philipps, a military correspondent for The New York Times, and James Klein, a former Air Force drone pilot, dive into the unseen trauma of America’s drone pilots. They discuss the psychological toll of remote warfare, emphasizing personal stories of trauma, morality, and emotional struggles. Klein shares his experiences navigating ethical dilemmas and the aftermath of witnessing unintended civilian casualties. The conversation sheds light on the mental health crisis among these pilots, underscoring the urgent need for open discussions about their challenges.

On March 18, 2019, the U.S. conducted an airstrike in Baghuz, Syria, as part of its battle against the Islamic State. Two bombs were dropped killing dozens of people, as many as 80 according to U.S. Central Command, the majority of whom seem to have been civilians. But the American public had never heard of the strike until last month when a New York Times investigation revealed not only the fact of the strike, but also the troubling government response that led to its being concealed from public view for more than two years.Natalie Orpett sat down with Dave Philipps, co-author of the Times article and a veteran national security reporter, and Luke Hartig, a fellow in New America's International Security Program and executive editor at Just Security. They talked about what we know and don't know about the incident itself, the legal and policy framework around airstrikes, allegations of war crimes, and what's been happening within the U.S. government in the years since the strike. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/lawfare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dave Philipps, a national correspondent for The New York Times specializing in military affairs, delves into a chilling incident from March 2019. An American F-15 mistakenly bombed civilians in Syria, resulting in nearly 70 deaths. The conversation reveals the internal struggles faced by military personnel witnessing this tragedy. A military lawyer escalated concerns of a potential war crime, exposing flaws in accountability and investigation protocols. The episode raises pressing questions about transparency and oversight in U.S. military operations.