Congressmembers call on Biden to overhaul U.S. counterterrorism policy

U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-ME), and Chris Murphy (D-CT), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Near East, South Asia, Central Asia, and Counterterrorism, joined U.S. Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) and other members of Congress, in calling on President Joe Biden to overhaul the U.S. counterterrorism policy.

The congressmembers, 11 senators and 37 representatives, wrote to Biden in light of reports about the U.S. targeting criteria for drone strikes having led to the deaths of thousands of civilians, with little accountability. Recently, details have emerged about the botched Aug. 29 strike in Kabul, Afghanistan, which led to 10 civilian deaths, including seven children and aid workers employed by an American NGO, as well as a potentially unlawful strike in Baghuz, Syria, that was never independently investigated.

The letter asked the President to ensure the counterterrorism policy centers on human rights and the protection of civilians and only uses lethal forces when lawful and as a last resort.

“Over successive administrations spanning nearly two decades, presidents have claimed virtually unlimited, unilateral power to use lethal force around the world and without congressional authorization, killing not only armed actors but also innocent civilians—even American citizens. Without systematic reforms centered on human rights and international law, the status quo will continue to undermine counterterrorism objectives, produce significant human and strategic costs, and erode the rule of law and the United States’ image abroad,” the lawmakers wrote.

As many as 48,000 civilians across seven countries have allegedly been killed due to U.S. airstrikes, the congressmembers wrote. At least 14,00 U.S. airstrikes have been conducted by unmanned aircraft since 2002, killing as many as 2,200 civilians – including 450 children. The lawmakers said the actual numbers are likely significantly higher given the difficulty of comprehensive reporting, and the United States’ consistent underreporting of fatalities and refusal to investigate reports absent “potential for high media attention.”

“These inexcusable figures reflect an uncomfortable truth: in far too many cases, rather than achieving the policy goal of eliminating hostile combatants to preserve U.S. national security, lethal U.S. strikes have instead killed thousands of civilians, including children,” the lawmakers wrote.