Pentagon orders overhaul to avoid civilian casualties

WASHINGTON — The Pentagon announced sweeping changes aimed at reducing risks to civilians in U.S. military operations by fostering a culture in which those in the field view preventing such harm as a core part of their missions.

A 36-page action plan issued last week directs broad changes at every level of military planning, doctrine, training and policy in not only counterterrorism drone strikes but in any future major conflict. It includes emerging war-fighting tactics such as attacks on satellites and computer systems.

The directive — which follows an investigative series by the New York Times into civilian deaths from American air strikes — contains 11 major objectives. They are directed at helping commanders better understand the presence of noncombatants before any operations begin, and they require operators to consider potential consequences for civilians in any combat action.

The steps include putting officials responsible for reducing civilian harm inside the combatant commands and Pentagon policy offices; imposing a new system to reduce the risk of misidentifying targets and “confirmation bias” — the tendency to favor information that confirms preexisting beliefs; and creating a 30-person center to handle departmentwide analysis and training regarding civilian protection.

In a memo to top military commanders and civilian leaders, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the Pentagon must prioritize civilian protection and incorporate more attentive thinking about that goal as doctrine in its mission planning.

“We will ensure that we are well prepared to prevent, mitigate and respond to civilian harm in current and future conflicts,” Austin wrote.

Human rights organizations have worked for years to call greater attention to civilian casualties. Reporters at a number of news outlets have written investigative articles about botched strikes. Congress has imposed restrictions on some military funds until the Pentagon submits a civilian casualty policy.

In his memo, Austin called the changes “both ambitious and necessary” and said the effort would need continuous support from future administrations to succeed.