David Cortright, Rachel Fairhurst, and Kristen Wall (eds)
- Published in print:
- 2015
- Published Online:
- January 2016
- ISBN:
- 9780226258058
- eISBN:
- 9780226258195
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- University of Chicago Press
- DOI:
- 10.7208/chicago/9780226258195.001.0001
- Subject:
- Law, Human Rights and Immigration
Drone technology is racing ahead, while efforts to develop guidelines for the use of remotely piloted weapons remain underdeveloped. The emergence of lethal drones raises new questions for the ...
More
Drone technology is racing ahead, while efforts to develop guidelines for the use of remotely piloted weapons remain underdeveloped. The emergence of lethal drones raises new questions for the ethical and legal analysis of the use of armed force and the impact on human rights. Drones have the capacity to be more accurate and discriminating, yet they do not eliminate the problems of collateral damage and civilian harm. They reduce risks for those employing such weapons, although by making the use of force appear easier and less costly, they may increase the propensity to resort to force. The lack of transparency about criteria for identifying targets and launching strikes impedes democratic accountability. Drones are considered a means of countering terrorism, but the ability to kill specific targets has not brought success in countering terrorist insurgencies in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Yemen. This book presents the work of leading scholars and policy experts addressing these and other related questions. The authors highlight the need for the United States and other nations to work together in establishing an international regulatory framework to ensure that drones are used in compliance with ethical standards and the principles of international law.Less
Drone technology is racing ahead, while efforts to develop guidelines for the use of remotely piloted weapons remain underdeveloped. The emergence of lethal drones raises new questions for the ethical and legal analysis of the use of armed force and the impact on human rights. Drones have the capacity to be more accurate and discriminating, yet they do not eliminate the problems of collateral damage and civilian harm. They reduce risks for those employing such weapons, although by making the use of force appear easier and less costly, they may increase the propensity to resort to force. The lack of transparency about criteria for identifying targets and launching strikes impedes democratic accountability. Drones are considered a means of countering terrorism, but the ability to kill specific targets has not brought success in countering terrorist insurgencies in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Yemen. This book presents the work of leading scholars and policy experts addressing these and other related questions. The authors highlight the need for the United States and other nations to work together in establishing an international regulatory framework to ensure that drones are used in compliance with ethical standards and the principles of international law.
David Cortright and Rachel Fairhurst
- Published in print:
- 2015
- Published Online:
- January 2016
- ISBN:
- 9780226258058
- eISBN:
- 9780226258195
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- University of Chicago Press
- DOI:
- 10.7208/chicago/9780226258195.003.0001
- Subject:
- Law, Human Rights and Immigration
This chapter examines the latest developments in the US use of drone weapons. In recent years the United States has launched hundreds of drone strikes in Afghanistan, Pakistan and other countries, ...
More
This chapter examines the latest developments in the US use of drone weapons. In recent years the United States has launched hundreds of drone strikes in Afghanistan, Pakistan and other countries, stirring public debate about the ethical, legal, strategic and human rights consequences of using robotic weapons. The pledges of the Obama administration to provide greater transparency and accountability in drone operations remain largely unfulfilled. The resulting lack of accurate information hinders the ability to judge the morality and legality of US drone policy. The authors ask whether the availability of drone weapons increases the propensity of political leaders to resort to the use of military force. Drones weapons have certain tactical advantages because of their ability to loiter over a target, but their strategic value as a means of countering terrorism is questionable.Less
This chapter examines the latest developments in the US use of drone weapons. In recent years the United States has launched hundreds of drone strikes in Afghanistan, Pakistan and other countries, stirring public debate about the ethical, legal, strategic and human rights consequences of using robotic weapons. The pledges of the Obama administration to provide greater transparency and accountability in drone operations remain largely unfulfilled. The resulting lack of accurate information hinders the ability to judge the morality and legality of US drone policy. The authors ask whether the availability of drone weapons increases the propensity of political leaders to resort to the use of military force. Drones weapons have certain tactical advantages because of their ability to loiter over a target, but their strategic value as a means of countering terrorism is questionable.
