Intel: Pentagon chief orders reform to civilian harm policies

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's initiative follows pressure from lawmakers and fruitless attempts at reform under the prior administration.
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin stands for the national anthem at the Pentagon on Oct. 6, 2021, in Arlington, Virginia.
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin stands for the national anthem during a welcome ceremony for Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak at the Pentagon on Oct. 6, 2021, in Arlington, Virginia. - Drew Angerer/Getty Images
Al Monitor: The Pulse of the Middle East
Al-Monitor Staff

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Thursday ordered Pentagon leadership to develop standardized procedures for documenting civilian harm caused by US military operations around the globe.

Austin specifically ordered the creation of a Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response Action Plan within 90 days to implement recommendations by recent studies commissioned by the Pentagon, including one released by RAND Corp. today that found lack of information sharing about civilian casualties across the US military inhibited progress on harm reduction.

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.

Videos

See more