2016 Pledge by US Defense Chief Surfaces Amid Scrutiny of Recent Strikes

A newly reported comment from US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is drawing attention. In 2016, while a general, he stated American troops are obligated to refuse unlawful orders. The remark resurfaced in a *Politico* article reviewing his career. It comes as some lawmakers question the legality of a 2021 drone strike in Kabul he authorized. That strike, which the Pentagon said targeted ISIS militants, killed 10 civilians. The US military later called it a "tragic mistake." Austin's 2016 statement highlighted standard military protocol. He said service members must follow legal orders but have a duty to challenge illegal ones. The Pentagon has not linked the secretary's past comment to the 2021 incident. The report highlights the complex legal and ethical decisions facing military leaders.