We all know how Google Earth helps people create maps and get directions. But here is a BBC article on a more life saving use of Google Earth.

One tip - on the Iraq League site, one of the best known - is for people to draw up maps of their local area using Google Earth’s detailed imagery of Baghdad so they can work out escape routes and routes to block.

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With Google Earth, the Iraq League website suggests, people can also work out the most likely approach of their attackers.

It’s thought that insurgents have also used the map site, examining the detailed images to pick out potential targets.

Though the use of Google Earth’s high resolution imagery is a double edged sword that can cut both ways. You would really have to have large blinders on to not think that both sides are using the same technology.