Part 4/13:
A significant distinction made is between "intimate" and "non-intimate" killing. Intimate killing, as depicted in movies — close-range combat, direct physical confrontation — is deeply personal and emotionally taxing. Conversely, non-intimate killing occurs at a distance, such as drone strikes or sabotage missions, where operatives feel detached from the actual act of killing.
Even those executing the strike, like Navy SEALs or drone pilots, often experience a psychological distancing. The operative involved in the conversation was miles away in a command center, making the final decision to authorize the strike without witnessing the immediate aftermath, where the genuine gravity becomes more palpable.