The Moral Cost of Strategic Convenience

September 11

Traces how governments and commentators accept civilian suffering when it serves strategic aims, then resist comparisons that expose the bargain.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

A Calculated Policy A Calculated Policy from "September 11". A Calculated Policy American policy supports attacks on vulnerable Nicaraguan targets, including communities unable to defend themselves.

A Calculated Policy from "September 11". A Calculated Policy American policy supports attacks on vulnerable Nicaraguan targets, including communities unable to defend themselves.

A Calculated Policy American policy supports attacks on vulnerable Nicaraguan targets, including communities unable to defend themselves. Strategic Rationale Chomsky cites public arguments that weigh blood and misery against political objectives. Human Cost The calculation makes civilian suffering part of policy rather than an accidental afterthought.

Children in Iraq Children in Iraq from "September 11". Children in Iraq Chomsky recalls an American official’s acceptance of a large child death toll as a price worth paying.

Children in Iraq from "September 11". Children in Iraq Chomsky recalls an American official’s acceptance of a large child death toll as a price worth paying.

Children in Iraq Chomsky recalls an American official’s acceptance of a large child death toll as a price worth paying. Policy by Calculation The statement presents civilian deaths as tolerable collateral to a strategic objective. Moral Consistency He asks why such suffering receives less attention than the deaths of Western civilians.

Sudan’s Medicines Lost Sudan’s Medicines Lost from "September 11". Sudan’s Medicines Lost The destruction of Al-Shifa removes a major source of affordable medicine from Sudan.

Sudan’s Medicines Lost from "September 11". Sudan’s Medicines Lost The destruction of Al-Shifa removes a major source of affordable medicine from Sudan.

Sudan’s Medicines Lost The destruction of Al-Shifa removes a major source of affordable medicine from Sudan. Slow Consequences Illness and death follow as treatment becomes unavailable or unaffordable. A Quiet Cost The delayed and dispersed nature of the harm helps it disappear from public debate.

The Comparison Provokes Anger

The Comparison Provokes Anger Chomsky’s comparison of Al-Shifa’s consequences with the September attacks draws intense condemnation. A Revealing Response He treats the anger as evidence of a taboo against comparing Western violence with violence against Western targets. The Question Remains The dispute shifts attention from the number of victims to who is permitted to count them.

Counting Every Consequence Counting Every Consequence from "September 11". Counting Every Consequence Chomsky argues that moral accounting must include people who die later because an attack destroyed essential systems.

Counting Every Consequence from "September 11". Counting Every Consequence Chomsky argues that moral accounting must include people who die later because an attack destroyed essential systems.

Counting Every Consequence Chomsky argues that moral accounting must include people who die later because an attack destroyed essential systems. One Standard The same method is used for the crimes of official enemies and should apply to Western actions. Public Accountability Counting delayed harm makes strategic convenience harder to separate from responsibility.

During the American campaign against Nicaragua in the 1980s

During the 1990s sanctions period

After August 20, 1998

September 2001

In the postface