Interview with Chris Woods of Airwars

In this video I interview Chris Woods of Airwars, a project, which monitors civilian harm from international military actions in theatres such as Iraq, Syria and Libya. A conflict specialist, he previously worked for the BBC’s Newsnight and Panorama as a senior field producer. Chris also set up and ran the Bureau of Investigative Journalism’s award-winning Drones Project. His book, Sudden Justice charts the history of armed drone use in Iraq and elsewhere since 9/11.

Shortly after Chris did this interview the UK Ministry of Defence made its first ever admission that the UK may have killed a civilian in an air strike against the Islamic State.

Activity

1. Consider the significance of this news story in light of Chris’ interview
2. Is this an important development even though it only concerns a single person?

Please think through these issues and post your thoughts, ideas and questions in the comments area. It would be great if you can also read and respond to the comments of your fellow learners, as always in a respectful manner.

Also, you might want to bookmark some of your thoughts for possible redeployment for the discussion activity at the end of this Casualty Recording activity.

Upon my request Chris provided the following bio:

Chris Woods leads Airwars, a project, which monitors civilian harm from international military actions in theatres such as Iraq, Syria and Libya. A conflict specialist, he previously worked for the BBC’s Newsnight and Panorama as a senior field producer. Chris also set up and ran the Bureau of Investigative Journalism’s award-winning Drones Project. His book, Sudden Justice charts the history of armed drone use in Iraq and elsewhere since 9/11.