The use of drone strikes by the United States is an increasingly common tool in the global fight against terrorism. It is also an extremely controversial one. The use of drones to target terrorists outside the context of war and beyond the reach of US military forces has raised serious concerns. The United States and the international community must recognize these challenges and begin to outline restrictions and accountability for drone use worldwide.
Drones are unmanned aircraft, or UAVs, that can be fitted with a variety of weapons including missiles, bombs, and incendiary devices. They are used both as part of conventional military fighting in active war zones and for targeted killings outside those battlefields by both the military and the CIA. The drones are often launched from bases on foreign soil, and their targets are often located far from the conflict zone. Whether in a traditional combat zone or on a “signature strike,” the rationale for the attack is usually vague and depends on a suspicious pattern of behavior that can be difficult to discern.
Despite the apparent benefits of drone warfare, there are clear and enduring costs. These cost, along with the lack of oversight and transparency, have resulted in a war that has already killed more than 929,000 people at an estimated cost to the United States of $8 trillion. This war is a new form of “endless” conflict that has been perpetuated by the use of drone strikes.
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