Inside the Government's Secret Drone Warfare Program

The United States government has been operating a secret drone warfare program for over a decade. The program, which is overseen by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA),has killed thousands of people in countries such as Pakistan, Yemen, and Somalia.

The drone program has been controversial from the start. Critics argue that it is illegal, counterproductive, and immoral. They say that the program kills innocent civilians, including women and children. They also say that it creates more terrorists than it kills.

The Assassination Complex: Inside the Government's Secret Drone Warfare Program

by Jeremy Scahill

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	27846 KB
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Supporters of the drone program argue that it is a necessary tool in the fight against terrorism. They say that the program has killed high-level terrorists and disrupted terrorist networks. They also say that the program is more precise than other forms of warfare, such as airstrikes.

The debate over the drone program is likely to continue for years to come. There is no easy answer to the question of whether the program is justified. However, it is important to be aware of the facts about the program and to understand the arguments for and against it.

The History of the Drone Program

The United States has been using drones for military purposes since the 1990s. However, the drone program did not become a major part of US counterterrorism strategy until after the 9/11 attacks. In the years following 9/11, the CIA began to use drones to target suspected terrorists in Pakistan and other countries.

The drone program was initially kept secret from the American public. However, in 2013, the Obama administration began to release more information about the program. The administration said that the drone program was legal and effective. It also said that the program was subject to strict oversight.

The Trump administration has continued to use the drone program. However, the Trump administration has been less transparent about the program than the Obama administration. The Trump administration has also expanded the use of drones to target suspected terrorists in new countries, such as Somalia.

How the Drone Program Works

Drones are unmanned aircraft that can be controlled remotely by a pilot. Drones are equipped with cameras, sensors, and weapons. They can be used to conduct surveillance, target and kill suspected terrorists, and deliver humanitarian aid.

The drone program is operated by the CIA and the US military. The CIA is responsible for targeting and killing suspected terrorists. The US military is responsible for providing support for the CIA's operations.

The drone program is highly controversial. Critics argue that the program is illegal, counterproductive, and immoral. They say that the program kills innocent civilians, including women and children. They also say that it creates more terrorists than it kills.

Supporters of the drone program argue that it is a necessary tool in the fight against terrorism. They say that the program has killed high-level terrorists and disrupted terrorist networks. They also say that the program is more precise than other forms of warfare, such as airstrikes.

The Legal and Ethical Implications of the Drone Program

The drone program has been criticized on a number of legal and ethical grounds.

1. Critics argue that the drone program is illegal because it violates international law. International law prohibits the use of lethal force against civilians.
2. Critics also argue that the drone program is unethical because it kills innocent civilians. The Obama administration claimed that the drone program was "surgical" and that it only killed terrorists. However, a 2013 report by the Bureau of Investigative Journalism found that the drone program had killed at least 200 civilians in Pakistan.
3. Critics also argue that the drone program is counterproductive. They say that the program creates more terrorists than it kills. A 2012 study by the Stimson Center found that the drone program had killed 4-5 terrorists for every 10 civilians that it killed.

The drone program has been defended by the Obama and Trump administrations. The Obama administration argued that the drone program was legal and effective. The Trump administration has argued that the drone program is a necessary tool in the fight against terrorism.

The Future of the Drone Program

The future of the drone program is uncertain. The Biden administration has said that it is reviewing the program. It is possible that the Biden administration will scale back or even end the drone program.

However, it is also possible that the drone program will continue to grow. The drone program is a relatively new and inexpensive way to conduct counterterrorism operations. It is possible that the drone program will become even more important in the years to come.

The drone program is a controversial and complex issue. There are strong arguments for and against the program. It is important to be aware of the facts about the program and to understand the arguments for and against it before forming an opinion.

The drone program is likely to continue to be a major part of US counterterrorism strategy for years to come. It is important to stay informed about the program and to continue to debate its merits.

Appendix: Images

Appendix: References

1. Bureau of Investigative Journalism. (2013). The Drone War in Pakistan: A Year of Targeted Killing. https://www.thebureauinvestigates.com/2013/10/15/the-drone-war-in-pakistan-a-year-of-targeted-killing/
2. Stimson Center. (2012). Assessing the Impact of U.S. Drone Strikes in Pakistan. https://www.stimson.org/2012/assessing-the-impact-of-us-drone-strikes-in-pakistan/
3. The White House. (2013). Fact Sheet: U.S. Counterterrorism Strategy. https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2013/05/23/fact-sheet-us-counterterrorism-strategy

The Assassination Complex: Inside the Government's Secret Drone Warfare Program

by Jeremy Scahill

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	27846 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	256 pages

FREE