Lawrence on Hegseth boat strike: 'There was no war and there was no fog'

Allegations of War Crimes and Cover-Up - The report alleges a pattern of lying within the American military following potential war crimes [1][4][7] - It focuses on a specific incident involving a second missile strike on a destroyed boat, potentially killing two survivors, which is described as a possible war crime or murder [2][8] - The report claims initial denials and misrepresentations of the event, specifically mentioning Pete Hegseth's alleged false statements [3][4][8] - The author cites a legal expert who considers the entire operation, including the initial strike, as murder, given the absence of armed conflict and the civilian status of the targets [8] Congressional and Public Response - Congressional leaders were briefed on the incident, revealing differing opinions, with some Republicans defending the strike and Democrats expressing concern [8] - Senator Tom Cotton defended the strike, believing the survivors posed a threat, while other Republicans remained silent [8] - The report highlights a demand for the release of a secret video depicting the incident to the American public [13] - The release of another video showing a similar strike in the Pacific Ocean is seen as an attempt to normalize such actions [13] Historical Context and Parallels - The report draws parallels to the My Lai Massacre in Vietnam, where initial reports misrepresented the event as a "resounding success" [5][6] - It suggests a potential cover-up and a tendency to defend military actions regardless of evidence, similar to the defense of Lieutenant Cali in the My Lai Massacre [9][10] - The author emphasizes the dehumanization of the victims, comparing them to the victims of the My Lai Massacre, whose identities were unknown [11] Credibility and Evidence - The report questions the credibility of the American military's defenses without supporting evidence, given its history of alleged cover-ups [7] - It criticizes the justifications offered for the second strike, highlighting inconsistencies and questioning their validity [9] - The author suggests that defenders will rationalize the killings regardless of the video's content [10]