Pulitzer-winning combat journalist warns of media's "hype songs and war toy cheers" after Trump drops MOAB

C.J. Chivers, Moscow bureau chief for the New York Times and two-time Pulitzer winner, reacted to the news, writing, “Last week, Tomahawks. This week the MOAB. Stand by for certain news voices to to pound out hype songs and war-toy cheers.”

Last week, Tomahawks. This week the MOAB. Stand by for certain news voices to to pound out hype songs and war-toy cheers. pic.twitter.com/7jusQY8LAm

— C.J. Chivers (@cjchivers) April 13, 2017

The Pentagon announced that the GBU-43 bomb, known as the “Mother of All Bombs” (MOAB), had been deployed on an “ISIS-K tunnel complex in Achin district” in Afghanistan.

The MOAB is a 21,600-pound GPS-guided bomb that is the most powerful non-nuclear weapon in the American arsenal. It has never been used in combat before.

The national mainstream media has a historical love affair with military weapons and the dazzling footage that often accompanies their deployment. Instead of questioning why these weapons have been used and the human toll accompanying these decisions, the press – particularly TV news – tends to wax rhapsodic about such displays of “shock and awe.”

MSNBC’s Brian Williams was widely condemned when he referred to the recent airstrikes in Syria as “beautiful,” and more of the same could accompany the MOAB deployment.

Chivers’ warning could be prophetic, and Americans could be forced to brace for another round of a deadly game.