Usually, in planning air strikes, including remotely controlled drone strikes, myriad sources of intelligence are integrated into as complete a picture as possible — images from satellites and spy planes, views from the pilot in the plane firing the missile (if it’s overhead), and communications intercepts. But it’s best if all this data can be matched by intelligence on the ground — sources who can confirm that the target actually is who the commanders think he is, spotters who can specify and track his location, and others who can go see whether the bomb killed the right people (or destroyed the right object) and didn’t damage the wrong ones.There are always refinements in military technology. But all versions of aerial bombing kill civilian noncombatants. Obviously, a missile or bomb that strikes an enemy warship or tactical air support in an open military clash could constitute exceptions.
But when we are talking about "strtegic bombing" aimed at military factories and power grids or targeted-assassination type bombing attcks kill civilians. Lots of them. Everyone, from reporters to the public and Members of Congress should always remember what's behind terms like "surgical strike" in wars.
Neta Crawford looks at estimates of war costs for the failed US war in Afghanistan: Calculating the costs of the Afghanistan War in lives, dollars and years Infotmed Comment 09/02/2021: "The war in Afghanistan, like many other wars before it, began with optimistic assessments of a quick victory and the promise to rebuild at war’s end. Despite Bush’s warning of a lengthy campaign, few thought then that would mean decades. But 20 years later, the U.S is still counting the costs."
Congress and the public really need to know some basic facts about how the government is approaching the ongoing anti-terrirism military action, whether the government labels them "war on terror" or not: Tara Copp, ‘It’s Possible’ US and Taliban Will Target ISIS-K Together, Milley Says Defense One 09/01/2021.
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