Cluster bombs

Cluster bombs are big bombs that break apart and release “bomblets” full of small shrapnel that won’t penetrate cement blocks or bricks but will penetrate flesh.  The shrapnel is generally not round, like BBs, which would enter in a straight path, but is misshapen, so it skewers into the flesh and amplifies the wound.  Even worse, some cluster bombs use plastic shrapnel that can’t be located with X-ray machines.

Cluster bombs are not good for knocking down buildings or immobilizing tanks.  They are useful only for killing or wounding people.

On August 1, 2010, a Convention on Cluster Munitions to prohibit such weapons entered into force.  To date 119 countries have agreed to the treaty’s provisions.  

Among the countries that have not signed the agreement are the U.S., Russia, China, and most of the counties in the Middle East.

A disarmament group, Cluster Munitions Coalition, monitors the use of these bombs  The group noted that In 2016 cluster bomb casualties doubled from the previous year.  Most of the victims were in Syria, but Laos and Yemen also reported casualties.

[Information for this post came from an article by Rick Gladstone, “Cluster-Bomb Casualties Doubled in 2016), New York Times, (Sept. 1, 2017), p. A-5.]

P.S.:  Yesterday Linda and I visited the Yale Art Museum, which, by the way, is truly amazing.  We spent the night in Fishkill, N.Y.  I took along my Airbook to post, but even thought the motel had free wi-fi, I couldn’t figure out how to connect.  After about ten minutes I gave up in frustration.