Adm. Brad Cooper, head of U.S. Central Command, publicly condemned cluster munitions as “inherently indiscriminate” in a social media video, directly challenging the Pentagon’s longstanding policy. His remarks follow Iran’s use of cluster munitions in an attack on Israel, which he called “reckless” and harmful to civilians. This marks a stark contrast to the first Trump administration’s 2017 stance, which approved cluster munitions as “legitimate weapons.”

Cluster munitions, which scatter explosive bomblets over wide areas, remain hazardous due to their high dud rate—up to 20% fail to detonate immediately. The 2017 policy reversal, initiated by then-Deputy Defense Secretary Patrick M. Shanahan, overturned a 2008 plan to phase out older munitions by 2019. Shanahan cited North Korea’s threats to justify indefinite use, though the Biden administration has not publicly addressed the policy’s continuation.

The Biden administration transferred large quantities of cluster munitions to Ukraine earlier this year, despite ongoing debates about their civilian risks. Russia has employed similar weapons in the conflict, exacerbating humanitarian concerns. The Convention on Cluster Munitions, signed by over 100 nations, bans their use, but the U.S., Russia, Israel, and Iran remain holdouts. The last recorded U.S. deployment occurred in 2009 during a Yemen operation.

Cooper’s critique underscores growing tensions within the Pentagon over balancing military utility with humanitarian obligations. While the U.S. justifies cluster munitions for countering asymmetric threats, critics argue their long-term dangers outweigh tactical benefits. With no immediate plans to revise the policy, the issue remains entangled in geopolitical and ethical dilemmas.