Even though technological military solutions to political problems often fail on the battle field, the companies that develop those solutions have already been paid. Thus, one of the main goals of creating a large defense establishment is achieved regardless of the military outcome.

Satire? It was more accurate most news articles I read. Perhaps that is why Guy Raz is objecting.

From the article:

"Cannistraro told Talking Points Memo that there is no important difference between those kinds of attacks and "assassinations" with a gun or a knife."

There is an important difference between remote assassination via a bomb, and close up killing via a gun or a knife. If you kill close up, you have a much better chance of killing your intended target without murdering innocent bystanders.

In that sense, killing up close and personal, while highly questionable, is immensely preferable to remote execution.