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Three American Lives Forever Changed by a Weapon Now Being Sent to Ukraine

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Summary

This article discusses the U.S. decision to send failure-prone cluster shells to Ukraine to help in the fight against Russia. It tells the stories of three Americans—a mother whose son was killed by one of these shells in Iraq, two veterans who were wounded by the same type of weapon in the Gulf War, and a Marine captain who lost one of his men to a cluster munition in Iraq—who are deeply affected by the decision. It examines the issue of the cluster weapons failure rate of 14 percent or more, and the fact that more than 100 nations have banned their use due to the harm they pose. It also looks at the potential risks posed to Ukrainian soldiers and civilians as a result of the decision.

Q&As

What is the US decision regarding sending failure-prone shells to Ukraine?
The US decision is to send failure-prone shells to help the Ukrainian military battle Russia.

What are the risks posed by cluster munitions to civilians and soldiers in Ukraine?
The risks posed by cluster munitions to civilians and soldiers in Ukraine include the potential for unexploded ordnance, metal fragments, and shrapnel, as well as the potential for long-term harm due to the failure rate of the weapons.

What are the experiences of three American veterans in relation to the use of cluster munitions?
The experiences of three American veterans include being wounded by friendly fire, being surrounded by dud cluster weapon grenades, and being responsible for a Marine's death due to an American cluster munition.

What is the failure rate of cluster munitions of this type?
The failure rate of cluster munitions of this type is 14 percent or more, meaning that for every 155-millimeter cluster shell that is given to Ukraine and fired, 10 of the 72 grenades it disperses are likely to fall to the ground as hazardous duds.

How have the decisions by the Biden Administration concerning cluster munitions affected American civilians?
The decisions by the Biden Administration concerning cluster munitions have reopened old wounds for some American civilians who have dealt with the aftermath of their use in combat, and have caused frustration and pain.

AI Comments

👍 This article brings to light a very important and often overlooked issue of the aftermath of war. It provides an insight into the human cost of cluster weapons and the dangerous aftermath of their use.

👎 This article does not provide an adequate solution to the issue it describes. It is merely an account of the horrors of cluster weapon use without offering a way to prevent them from happening in the future.

AI Discussion

Me: It's about the U.S. decision to send failure-prone shells to Ukraine to help them battle Russia, and it looks at how it affects three American lives—a Marine killed by a cluster munition dud, a veteran who received a Purple Heart for a wound from an American cluster munition, and a Marine captain whose Marine died from an American cluster munition.

Friend: Wow. That's a lot to take in. What are the implications of this article?

Me: Well, the article points out the dangers of these cheap, failure-prone shells, and how they can cause serious injury, even death, when used in combat. It also highlights the need for nations to be more aware of the dangers of using these types of weapons, and to take precautionary measures to ensure that civilians are not put in harm's way. Finally, it emphasizes the importance of having a proper procedure for warning people about the use of cluster munitions in order to avoid similar tragedies.

Action items

Research the history of cluster munitions and their use in warfare.
Reach out to veterans and civilians who have experienced the effects of cluster munitions first-hand.
Contact your local representatives to express your concerns about the use of cluster munitions in Ukraine.

Technical terms

Cluster Munition: A type of explosive weapon that releases multiple smaller explosives, usually in the form of grenades, over a wide area.
Unexploded Ordnance: Explosive weapons that have been fired but did not detonate.
Dual-Purpose Improved Conventional Munitions (DPICM): A type of cluster munition that is designed to destroy enemy tanks and soldiers deep behind enemy lines.
White House: The executive residence and principal workplace of the President of the United States.
Purple Heart: A United States military decoration awarded to those wounded or killed while serving in the U.S. military.
Whataboutism: A rhetorical device used to deflect criticism by pointing out perceived hypocrisy or double standards of the critic.