Khan's Investigation into Pentagon Airstrike Failures
In December 2021, a groundbreaking report titled "Hidden Pentagon Records Reveal Patterns of Failure in Deadly Airstrikes" was published in The New York Times. Authored by Khan and her colleagues, the investigation exposed a systemic gap between the US military's public promises to minimize civilian deaths and the actual execution of airstrikes during the war against ISIL.
Patterns of Failure in Air Warfare
The investigation revealed that airstrikes conducted against ISIL, as well as operations during the war in Afghanistan, were characterized by three primary failures: flawed intelligence, poor targeting, and thousands of civilian deaths. These errors contradicted the strategic approach the US military claimed to employ to protect non-combatants.
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Shift in Command and Oversight
The report highlighted a significant shift in how strikes were authorized after President Trump took office in 2017. According to The New York Times, the authority to approve strikes was pushed further down the chain of command. This occurred while an overwhelming majority of strikes were carried out in the "heat of war" rather than being planned extensively in advance, potentially increasing the risk of error.
Systemic Under-reporting and Lack of Transparency
One of the most critical findings was the US military's tendency to systematically under-report civilian casualties. While the military provided an official death count of 1,417, the actual number was found to be significantly higher. The report noted that the military made very little effort to accurately determine the number of civilians killed following these strikes.
Furthermore, the military demonstrated a reluctance to share information despite public promises of transparency. To obtain the necessary data, news media outlets had to submit numerous requests under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)—a law that allows citizens to request access to federal agency records—and were forced to repeatedly sue the US military to compel the production of data.
Recognition and Future Work
The impact of this reporting was recognized globally when Khan and her colleagues were awarded the 2022 Pulitzer Prize for International Reporting. Following the success of the New York Times series, Khan began working on a book for Random House, as of May 2022, which further investigates the complexities and consequences of America's air wars.
Key Facts
- Report Title: "Hidden Pentagon Records Reveal Patterns of Failure in Deadly Airstrikes" (December 2021).
- Primary Failures: Flawed intelligence, poor targeting, and high civilian casualties.
- Casualty Discrepancy: The military reported 1,417 deaths, but the actual count was significantly higher.
- Command Change: After 2017, strike approval authority was moved lower down the chain of command.
- Award: 2022 Pulitzer Prize for International Reporting.
| Category | Reported/Claimed | Actual Findings |
|---|---|---|
| Civilian Death Count | 1,417 | Significantly higher |
| Operational Quality | Minimized civilian deaths | Flawed intelligence and poor targeting |
| Transparency | Promises of openness | Required FOIA requests and lawsuits |
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the main finding of Khan's report in The New York Times?
The report found that US military airstrikes in the war against ISIL and in Afghanistan were marked by flawed intelligence and poor targeting, leading to thousands of civilian deaths that were systematically under-reported.
How did the authorization of airstrikes change after 2017?
After President Trump assumed office, the authority to approve strikes was pushed further down the chain of command, often resulting in strikes being carried out in the heat of war without advance planning.
How did the media obtain the hidden Pentagon records?
Journalists had to make numerous requests under the Freedom of Information Act and repeatedly sue the US military to force the release of the data.
What award did Khan and her colleagues receive for this work?
They were awarded the 2022 Pulitzer Prize for International Reporting.
Is Khan writing a book about these events?
Yes, as of May 2022, Khan is writing a book for Random House that investigates America's air wars.