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Cluster Bombs for Ukraine are Justified [1]

['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.']

Date: 2023-07-07  

The USA has decided to give cluster bombs (as artillery shells) to Ukraine. Many people and governments believe this is immoral, including some NATO allies. Here is a list of pros and cons to consider.

Reasons to oppose the use of cluster bombs in general:

Unexploded duds can be triggered by civilians (also children), causing casualties long after a war is over (similar to land mines).

Cluster bombs are forbidden by an international treaty that most nations have signed (but not the USA, Russia, or Ukraine).

Reasons to support cluster bombs in this case:

The Russians are largely fighting from well-prepared trenches. Cluster bombs are an effective weapon against troops in trenches, because they explode from above the trenches and cover a wide area. They are also more effective than conventional artillery against infantry in the field.

Cluster bombs will help defeat Russia sooner rather than later, resulting in fewer Ukrainian (and more Russian) military casualties. Shortening the war should mean lower overall casualties.

Russia has used cluster bombs in Ukraine against both troops and civilians.

Russia is deliberately targeting civilians in cities. Shortening the war will reduce civilian casualties far more than unexploded duds will increase them.

Hopefully, there will be an effective clean-up program after the war for both unexploded cluster bombs and land mines.

The US claims a "dud rate" of <2%, far less than historic levels >10%.

Those who oppose the US giving cluster bombs to Ukraine are thinking with their hearts instead of their minds. Perhaps some believe that helping Ukraine will only prolong the war. But this is true only if Russia ultimately wins, helped by folks who think like this.

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[1] Url: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2023/7/7/2179927/-Cluster-Bombs-for-Ukraine-are-Justified

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