Moral Side of War: Update on Down Syndrome Homicide Bombers

On 6 February, I wrote a piece excoriating Al Queda Iraq (”AQI”) for their use of two female homicide bombers, both of whom were believed to have had Down Syndrome. In particular, I took to task Prof. Juan Cole, who several days earlier had expressed his doubts that AQI would use such impaired individuals as its weapons.

It now appears that Prof. Cole was correct. According to recent statements coming from Baghdad CPIC, the women did not have Down Syndrome, although the claim now is that the pair had “had undergone psychiatric treatment.” What this means is unclear but the fact remains that Cole’s doubts were in order and my reliance on earlier official statements was misplaced.

My apologies to Prof. Cole.

—Richard F. Miller, TRNS Military Affairs Correspondent