Drone Strike-Analyzing the Impacts of Targeted Killing

The failure to review and assess quantitative research and qualitative material on the impacts of US targeted drone strikes has limited the debate over their effectiveness. This book fills an important gap by conducting a rigorous review of such evidence and arguing that decisions about their use must be informed by empirical evidence.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 414 pages
Publication date: 02 April 2023
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

The intense and ongoing debate surrounding US targeted drone strikes outside war zones has been significantly constrained by the lack of comprehensive review and assessment of a substantial body of quantitative research and qualitative material regarding the impacts of these strikes on terrorist groups and civilians. This book serves as a crucial contribution to the literature by undertaking a meticulous and rigorous examination of this evidence. It posits that informed decisions regarding the use of targeted strikes as a counterterrorism tool, as well as ethical evaluations of such use, must be guided by our most comprehensive understanding of the insights that empirical evidence can offer regarding the effectiveness of strikes and the societal costs they entail.

The United States has employed targeted drone strikes as a counterterrorism strategy since the early 2000s, with the Obama administration overseeing the most extensive use of these strikes. While these strikes have been effective in targeting and eliminating high-value terrorist leaders, they have also raised significant concerns about civilian casualties, the legality of such operations, and the broader implications for international law and relations.

One of the primary concerns surrounding targeted drone strikes is the high rate of civilian casualties. According to research by the New America Foundation, between 2009 and 2015, approximately 90% of those killed in US drone strikes in Pakistan, Yemen, and Somalia were civilians. This has led to widespread criticism of the US government's approach to counterterrorism, with many arguing that the use of drone strikes is counterproductive and violates international humanitarian law.

Another concern is the legality of targeted drone strikes. While the US government has argued that these strikes are legal under international law, critics have raised concerns that they may violate the principles of proportionality and discrimination. Under international law, military actions must be proportionate to the military objective and must avoid unnecessary harm to civilians. However, there have been cases where targeted drone strikes have killed civilians who were not involved in any terrorist activity, raising questions about whether these strikes are truly necessary to protect US national security.

The broader implications of targeted drone strikes for international law and relations are also significant. These strikes have undermined trust between the US and other countries, particularly those in the Middle East and South Asia, where the US is perceived as a unilateral actor that does not respect the sovereignty of other nations. This has led to increased tensions and instability in these regions, which can have negative consequences for regional security and the broader international community.

In response to these concerns, there have been calls for greater transparency and accountability in the use of targeted drone strikes. The Obama administration has taken steps to increase transparency, including publishing a list of the individuals killed in these strikes and conducting public hearings to discuss the legal and ethical implications of these operations. However, there is still room for improvement, with many critics arguing that the US government should provide more information about its targeting criteria and the process used to make these decisions.

In conclusion, the intense debate over US targeted drone strikes outside war zones
zones has been limited by the failure to review and assess a considerable body of quantitative research and qualitative material on the impacts of such strikes on terrorist groups and civilians. This book fills an important gap in the literature by conducting a careful and rigorous review of such evidence. It argues that decisions about the use of targeted strikes as a counterterrorism instrument, as well as legal and ethical evaluations of such use, must be informed by our best understanding of the insights that empirical evidence can provide on the effectiveness of strikes and the costs they impose on populations where they occur.

The United States has employed targeted drone strikes as a counterterrorism strategy since the early 2000s, with the Obama administration overseeing the most extensive use of these strikes. While these strikes have been effective in targeting and eliminating high-value terrorist leaders, they have also raised significant concerns about civilian casualties, the legality of such operations, and the broader implications for international law and relations.

One of the primary concerns surrounding targeted drone strikes is the high rate of civilian casualties. According to research by the New America Foundation, between 2009 and 2015, approximately 90% of those killed in US drone strikes in Pakistan, Yemen, and Somalia were civilians. This has led to widespread criticism of the US government's approach to counterterrorism, with many arguing that the use of drone strikes is counterproductive and violates international humanitarian law.

Another concern is the legality of targeted drone strikes. While the US government has argued that these strikes are legal under international law, critics have raised concerns that they may violate the principles of proportionality and discrimination. Under international law, military actions must be proportionate to the military objective and must avoid unnecessary harm to civilians. However, there have been cases where targeted drone strikes have killed civilians who were not involved in any terrorist activity, raising questions about whether these strikes are truly necessary to protect US national security.

The broader implications of targeted drone strikes for international law and relations are also significant. These strikes have undermined trust between the US and other countries, particularly those in the Middle East and South Asia, where the US is perceived as a unilateral actor that does not respect the sovereignty of other nations. This has led to increased tensions and instability in these regions, which can have negative consequences for regional security and the broader international community.

In response to these concerns, there have been calls for greater transparency and accountability in the use of targeted drone strikes. The Obama administration has taken steps to increase transparency, including publishing a list of the individuals killed in these strikes and conducting public hearings to discuss the legal and ethical implications of these operations. However, there is still room for improvement, with many critics arguing that the US government should provide more information about its targeting criteria and the process used to make these decisions.

In conclusion, the intense debate over US targeted drone strikes outside war zones.

Weight: 556g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030911218
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022