Pulitzer Prize winner Mark Mazzetti chronicles the slow but steady drift of the CIA and the Defense Department into secret wars and subcontracting out security services to shadowy organizations like Blackwater. My favorite parts of The Way of the Knife are the sections on the development of the drone program. I had no idea over 7,000 people have been killed by drones. If you want to learn about the direction of today’s CIA and Defense clandestine operations, The Way of the Knife delivers all the particulars. GRADE: B+
George, we keep reading about the destruction, of human life and property, caused by US drones in the Pakistan-Afghanistan border areas and the resultant unrest in the tribal regions. The drones are helping to prevent US/NATO casualties but not collateral damage.
Exactly, Prashant. Our goofy politicians and generals have opted to invest in remote control warfare with drones and robots. Fewer U.S. causalities, but more innocent people killed. Most Americans have no idea what’s going on. They need to read THE WAY OF THE KNIFE.
An evil invention. I can think if ways that they could be used to get into areas more safely. But there is something cowardly about it. It makes killing too easy and often a choice that might not be make if men had to be risked.
I agree, Patti. Drones and robots make killing too easy. I was shocked at the body count due to drone strikes. And, I suspect that number is too low.
I’d love to be able to make an intelligent comment on this, but the issues are too complicated and emotional for me to make a rational response.
Rick, our government needs to learn that we just can’t kill our way to solutions. Sending drones and secret SEAL teams to solve our “problems” is NOT the answer.
Sounds like a good book! There is actually an airbase in Syracuse, N.Y. from which overseas drones are operated and bombing missions are carried out. More than 30 people were arrested last week in a protest against that airbase, including a woman I know from Occupy Buffalo and the WNY Peace Center (http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/349150). Four years ago (has it been that long already!?) I did a paper for your class on the marketing of the military, and one of the things that stood out was the attempt of advertisements to make it seem as though being in the military is like playing a video game.
Yes, Lauren, I actually remember that Marketing paper! THE WAY OF THE KNIFE builds on your concept of warfare as a video game. Technology makes remote killing possible in a number of ways.