“Many children's lives are at risk. This is just one girl.”
Colonel Powell changes the mission from ‘capture’ to ‘kill’ once she learns that the Al-Shabaab terrorists are planning an attack. However, the mission is brought to a standstill when they assess the collateral damage that the drone strike might cause. The decision to order the attack lies in the hands of the military superiors and government officials. Therefore, Powell has to convince them to move forward with the decision she had already made. The potential terrorist attack will kill dozens of people including children and the drone strike will claim one civilian life. It is a difficult choice to make since there is loss one way or the other.
“I have attended the immediate aftermath of five suicide bombings on the ground with the bodies. What you witnessed today with your coffee and biscuits is terrible. What these men would've done, would've been even more terrible. Never tell a soldier that he does not know the price of war.”
The debate between the executive government and the military officials stems from their different views on warfare. The government ministers insist that the soldiers are hasty in their decision to attack the enemy without considering other factors. Furthermore, the under-secretary taunts the Lieutenant regarding giving orders to field soldiers from his desk. She maintains that people like her know the repercussions because they take caution before such orders. However, the general responds with the above statement to express the ordeal that soldiers have suffered and keep suffering. They understand the cost of war and that is why they make quick decisions before they pay a heavier price.
”If they kill 80 people, we win the propaganda war. If we kill one child, they do.”
The judicial branch of government is part of the mission because it involves international laws that have to be considered. Their attorney general and lawyers present the regulations that can be broken in case the strike takes place. Firstly, the drone attack is on Kenyan soil, a country that has good relations with both the British and American governments. As such, they do not want to sever any ties due to a reckless decision that might claim innocent lives. Beyond the legal issues, the moral quandary becomes the center of the deliberation because of ethical repercussions. In the quote, Matherson stresses that if they take a civilian life they will suffer the scrutiny of the public through the propaganda war.
