Drone strikes, or armed unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), have become a critical tool in the United States’ fight against terrorist and militant groups in post-9/11 war zones. The drones can silently observe a target, and then with the push of a button a laser-guided missile can be launched. These strikes have been a significant component of the United States’ counterterrorism strategy in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Yemen, and Somalia since 2004.
Drones are a controversial tool in part because they allow the United States to operate without having military personnel in countries where the strikes occur. They also have the potential to alienate local governments and populations. In addition, there are questions about the legitimacy of targets and the overall net utility of the strikes.
Supporters of the program note that it allows American military personnel to be home with their families, and spares them prolonged deployments overseas. They also argue that the precision of the strikes reduces the risk to the lives of military personnel.
But critics of the program point to the many civilian casualties of drone strikes and the growing radicalization of people in the areas where drones are used. They also worry that the lack of transparency surrounding drone warfare risks political blowback in the United States. And they believe that the long hours spent on missions—often three to six times the maximum annual flight hours of Air Force pilots—can cause mental health problems and moral injury.