Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen correspondent reports more than 50 people were injured when a bomb exploded in the Mastung area of the Pakistani province of Balochistan.
Iranian Intelligence Minister Esmaeil Khatib: The assassinations were scheduled to be carried out on Saturday with the aim of stirring up national and sectarian strifes in the country
Iranian Intelligence Minister Esmaeil Khatib: A series of attempts to assassinate a number of Sunni scholars, judges, and IRGC officers was thwarted
Twin shootings in Rotterdam led to multiple deaths: Dutch police
Dutch Police: Rotterdam shooter arrested
US imposes fresh Sudan-related sanctions: Treasury Department
Dutch Police: Two were wounded in a shooting in the city of Rotterdam, southwest of the country, and the attacker is still at large
Russia halts nuclear fuel exports to US over lack of insurance: Rosatom
Russian Defense Ministry: Ukrainian drone destroyed over Russia's Bryansk region.
Nagorno-Karabakh announces cessation of existence of unrecognized republic.

US using Ukraine as disposal ground for banned cluster bombs: Colonel

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 11 Jul 2023 08:06
  • 8 Shares
  • x

Former Pentagon analyst and Air Force Lieutenant Colonel, Karen Kwiatkowski, points out the double standards in Western media's portrayal of cluster bomb usage.

  • A photograph taken on July 3, 2022 shows an tail section of a 300mm rocket which appear to contained cluster bombs launched from a BM-30 Smerch multiple rocket launcher embedded in the ground after shelling in Kramatorsk, Donetsk. (AFP)
    A photograph taken on July 3, 2022, shows a tail section of a 300mm rocket which appears to contain cluster bombs, launched from a BM-30 Smerch multiple rocket launcher, embedded in the ground after shelling in Kramatorsk, Donetsk. (AFP)

Former Pentagon analyst and Air Force Lieutenant Colonel, Karen Kwiatkowski, has criticized the US decision to provide cluster munitions to Ukraine, stating that the Pentagon is eager to unload them due to their ban in many countries. Kwiatkowski believes that the Pentagon's interest lies in clearing old inventory to make way for more profitable weapons.

"The Pentagon's interest seems to be in getting rid of stockpiled munitions, and these cluster bombs are honestly difficult to get rid of for-profit as so many nations have banned them," Kwiatkowski said.

Cluster bombs are seen as a tactic to freeze off land areas, disrupt transportation lines, and establish new borders in the later stages of traditional land battles. She expressed concerns about Ukraine's track record of restraint and accountability with other weapons systems supplied by the US and its allies. Kwiatkowski also pointed out the double standards in Western media's portrayal of cluster bomb usage.

"This US decision and NATO's flaccid acceptance of it, contrary to the policies of many NATO member states, serves as the latest example of extreme hypocrisy, and it is being observed and understood for exactly that by all of Europe, as well as the rest of the world," Kwiatkowski concluded. 

Related News

US eyes long-range missiles with cluster bombs for Ukraine: Reuters

US refuses to disclose details on cluster munitions sent to Ukraine

A flashback

The United States recently announced new military aid, including cluster munitions, to "assist Ukraine", causing wide criticism from NGOs and embarrassment for some European nations.

The move by the Biden administration has been widely criticized by human rights activists and some US lawmakers, with Congressman Matt Gaetz planning to co-sponsor an amendment to ban the transfer of cluster munitions to Ukraine or any other country.

Cluster munitions, which disperse multiple small explosive charges, are banned by several countries, including European signatories of the 2008 Oslo Convention.

Russia already warned the US against sending the cluster munitions to Ukraine, and Russian Ambassador to the UN Vassily Nebenzia argued it would count as a bigger step toward escalating the conflict.

Late last month, the US military said that despite it being banned by most countries, supplying Ukraine with cluster bombs could be useful against Russia.

Read next: A Grim Reaper that will outlast the Ukraine war: Cluster munitions

  • Cluster Bombs
  • US
  • Western Media
  • war in Ukraine
  • Ukraine
Russia & NATO

Russia & NATO

As the Draconian Western-led sanctions on Russia exacerbate the economic crisis worldwide, and as Russian troops gain more ground despite the influx of military aid into Ukraine, exposing US direct involvement in bio-labs spread across Eastern Europe and the insurgence of neo-Nazi groups… How will things unfold?

Most Read

Russia destroyed leopard tank in Ukraine with fully-German crew

Russia destroyed leopard tank in Ukraine with fully-German crew

  • Europe
  • 23 Sep 2023
Blinken’s ‘Variable Geometry’ for a New Cold War

Blinken’s ‘Variable Geometry’ for a New Cold War

  • Analysis
  • 24 Sep 2023
BBC from the front lines in Ukraine: It's bad, counteroffensive failed

BBC from the front lines in Ukraine: It's bad, counteroffensive failed

  • Europe
  • 28 Sep 2023
Zelensky joins Canadian Parliament’s ovation to WWII Nazi soldier

Zelensky joins Canadian Parliament’s ovation to WWII Nazi soldier

  • US & Canada
  • 25 Sep 2023

Coverage

All
Morocco & Libya Disasters

Read Next

All
BBC to restrict top hosts' social media usage
Europe

BBC to restrict hosts' social media for chiding anti-migration remarks

Germany, 'Israel'
Europe

Germany signs 'historic' deal to acquire Israeli-made Arrow 3 system

Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks during a media briefing at the State Department, Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2023, in Washington. (AP)
Europe

'Never say never': Blinken on Biden-Putin meeting in the future

Plastic found in clouds may contaminate everything we consume
US & Canada

Microplastics in clouds cause 'plastic rainfall', infect everything

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS