Should We Use Drones?

Since 2002, the U.S. has used drones in the fight against terrorism. Statistics provided by the Bureau of Investigative Journalism have stated that up to 1,602 civilians have been killed by drones. Is using drones in combat the right thing for our military to do? In some situations I believe they are in other situations I believe they aren’t. I believe that they should be used in situations that the military can not intervene.

 

Killing leaders of terrorist groups is a very difficult task but drones make it easier. Targeted strikes are very effective at doing just that, but sometimes our military prioritizes the target and doesn’t think about who and what is around them. That is when civilians are killed and homes are destroyed. But the main topic of debate when it comes to drones is if targeted strikes are legal and should they be used. International law states that assassinations are illegal and many consider targeted strikes to be just that. But others consider it self-defense making it legal. But do the protections under the international laws of war apply to these groups not just countries?

 

They don’t, under the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Terrorists the president can use all necessary and appropriate force against all nations, organizations and people he deems responsible for 9/11. ISIS falls under an organization responsible for 9/11 because it was formerly a part of al-Qaeda.Therefore the use of drones against them is completely legal. But even if they are legal they still kill too many civilians. Drones shouldn’t be used in heavily populated areas, they should be used in a place where the amount of people killed can be controlled.

 

Drone strikes have become a very common occurrence. I find drone strikes to be very helpful and useful. But they are also very dangerous to civilians and buildings. I think the use of drones should be limited to only very rare situations, like a terrorist leader or a situation in which it will save our soldiers. But many civilians shouldn’t be killed because of the chance of killing one person like what is happening a lot more today.