Clean Bombs and Dirty Wars
by Robert H. Gregory
"Air Power in Kosovo and Libya"
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Clean Bombs and Dirty Wars by Robert H. Gregory
Details
War:
War in Afghanistan
Perspective:
Bombers
Military Unit:
US Air Force
True Story:
Yes
Biography:
No
Region:
Europe
Page Count:
328
Published Date:
2015
ISBN13:
9781612347318
Description
Brief Summary
Clean Bombs and Dirty Wars by Robert H. Gregory is an in-depth analysis of air power and precision munitions in modern warfare, specifically focusing on the conflicts in Kosovo in 1999 and Libya. The book delves into how the U.S. public, policymakers, and military services perceived and utilized these military strategies. It explores the incorrect assumptions that underpinned these beliefs and examines their impact on the campaigns' conduct and outcomes.
Main Themes and Topics
A central theme of Clean Bombs and Dirty Wars is the disparity between public perception and the reality of military operations involving air power. Gregory critiques the notion of 'clean' warfare facilitated by precision bombing, arguing that these technologies can obscure the complex realities of war. The book also tackles the theme of political and military decision-making and how these processes were influenced by the desire for minimal collateral damage and public support. Gregory effectively presents a narrative that challenges the overly simplistic view of modern air warfare as sanitizing and ethically superior.
Writing Style and Tone
Robert H. Gregory employs a clear and informative writing style, making complex military strategies and operations accessible to a wider audience. The tone is analytical and often critical, as he evaluates the assumptions and decisions that shaped the use of air power in the Kosovo and Libya conflicts. Gregory's approach is both scholarly and engaging, providing ample historical context while also incorporating a critical perspective on the broader implications of air warfare.
Criticism
While Clean Bombs and Dirty Wars offers a thorough examination of its subject matter, some readers may find the book's focus on technical details of military operations somewhat dense. Additionally, others may critique the book for not providing enough narrative from the on-ground perspectives of those directly affected by air campaigns, which could have offered a more holistic view of the consequences of these military strategies.
