Matters Blackwater (Merged thread)

[Merv Benson]

I think Jedburgh and Steve Blair both make good points. I suspect the events surrounding the exchange of fire were much more nuanced than either side is revealing at this point. One point that should never be forgotten in these situations is that the enemy's war crime of fighting without an identifiable uniform endangers civilians in every confrontation. Civilian casualties would be greatly reduced if he obeyed the laws of war.

Whenever we are attributing causation this point should be raised to reinforce the point of the enemy's responsibility for civilian casualties. It could well be that there were other factors that put the Blackwater guys in a bad light, but this one factor puts the primary responsibility for endangering civilians where it belongs, on the enemy.

Confederate Yankee cites a report that indicates some of those doing the shooting at the convoy were wearing Iraqi Police uniforms. This adds another dimension to the event and may also explain the Iraqi political reaction.