Columnist Urges to 'Never Forget' Civilian Toll of War

Eric Foster writes that the Iran War's impact on innocent lives should not be overlooked.

Mar. 22, 2026 at 9:55am

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In a column for cleveland.com, Eric Foster reflects on the 9/11 attacks and how the current Iran War has impacted civilians, with over 1,200 Iranian civilians killed and 10,000 injured since the conflict began. Foster argues that while Americans debate the war's merits, we have forgotten the human cost and the suffering of those caught in the crossfire, just as we did after 9/11. He urges readers to 'never forget' the true price paid by civilians in times of war.

Why it matters

This column highlights the often-overlooked civilian toll of war and the need to keep the human impact at the forefront of discussions about military conflicts. As the Iran War continues, Foster's perspective serves as a reminder that the costs extend far beyond financial and military casualties, impacting innocent lives in the war zone.

The details

In his column, Foster draws parallels between the 9/11 attacks and the current Iran War, noting that while Americans have debated the necessity and merits of the conflict, we have 'forgotten what war feels like' and the suffering it inflicts on civilians. He cites reports stating that over 1,200 Iranian civilians have been killed and 10,000 injured since the war began, as well as hundreds of casualties in neighboring Lebanon. Foster argues that these 'collateral damage' victims are not too different from those who lost their lives on 9/11, and urges readers to 'never forget' the human toll of war.

  • The Iran War began nearly three weeks ago.
  • Since the start of the war, over $16.5 billion has been spent, with plans to seek $200 billion more.

The players

Eric Foster

A columnist for The Plain Dealer and cleveland.com, as well as a lawyer in private practice who writes from Atlanta. The views expressed in the column are his own.

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What they’re saying

“We have forgotten what war feels like. We have forgotten what it is. We have forgotten that waging war on a nation is not simply good guys killing bad guys, or soldiers of one country killing those of another. We have forgotten that, more often than not, the people who bear the greatest cost in war are not the ones wearing uniforms.”

— Eric Foster, Columnist

The takeaway

This column serves as a powerful reminder that the true costs of war are often borne by innocent civilians, and that we must not forget their suffering as we debate the merits of military conflicts. Foster's perspective urges readers to keep the human impact at the forefront and to 'never forget' the civilian toll of war.