What is a drone?
A drone, or “unmanned aerial
vehicle” (UAV), is an unmanned aircraft that can be piloted remotely. Drones
vary in size and weight and can be used for surveillance and attacks.
Where is the U.S. sending
drones?
The U.S.
uses drones primarily in Pakistan,
Yemen, and Somalia, but has also used drones in military
campaigns in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Libya.
What damage can a drone do?
Signature strikes & double taps
Depending on the model of the
drone, a drone such as a Reaper can carry thousands of pounds of payloads which
result in high collateral damage. Predator drones have a less of a collateral
impact, but the Hellfire missiles are lethal for the target.
Signature strikes occur when
targets are killed based on suspicion. If someone appears to be engaging in
“suspicious behavior,” such as associating with a “suspected militant,”
carrying a weapon. Any behavior the U.S. deems “suspicious” can justify
a signature strike.
A “double tap” occurs when a second
drone strike follows the initial strike which results in the murder of those
who may have rushed to the scene to understand what has happened, search for
survivors, or assist the injured.
Who is the U.S. targeting?
The U.S. targets militants and
suspected militants, especially al-Qaeda and its affiliates. However, the U.S.’ targets
reflect a major problem of racial profiling, resulting in the murder of many
innocent or low-level affiliates who are primarily young Muslim men.
Who approves the kill list?
CIA director John Brennan passes
the list to President Obama who must approve every drone strike.
How accurate are drone strikes?
The accuracy rate for hitting the
intended target is approximately 1.5-2%. The Bureau of Investigative Journalism
has estimated that 98% of victims of drone strikes are “collateral damage,” or
in more human terms, civilians, children, or suspected militants who are either
minor, low-level affiliates or whose involvement with militants has never been
proven.
How many casualties have there
been?
The Bureau of Investigative
Journalism estimates that nearly 4,000 total casualties have resulted from U.S. drone strikes in Pakistan,
Yemen, and Somalia. As
many as 954 have been civilians, and as many as 225 have been children. The
high number of casualties includes anyone who the U.S. deems suspicious, which could
mean they were driving suspected militants, attending a funeral of a suspected militant,
or carrying a weapon.
Have there been American
citizens killed by drone strikes?
Four American citizens have been
killed by drone strikes. Anwar al-Awlaki, who was affiliated with al-Qaeda, and
Samir Khan, were killed by a strike in 2011. A second strike killed al-Awlaki’s
innocent 17-year-old son. In 2002, Ahmed Hijazi was killed. All of these
victims were American citizens living in Yemen.
Are drone strikes a violation
of international law?
The United Nations has stated that
the U.S. use of drone strikes in Pakistan violates international law and is a
threat to human rights not only because of the mass casualties drones strikes
cause but also because the Pakistani government does not consent with the drone
strikes. The UN Special Rapporteur on Counter-Terrorism and Human Rights, Ben
Emmerson, released a statement expressing
that the Government of Pakistan “considers US
drone strikes to be counter-productive, contrary to international law, and a
violation of Pakistan’s
sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
Authorization for the Use of
Military Force, passed by U.S. Congress in 2001 after the 9/11 attacks, legally
empowers the president to “use all necessary and appropriate force” to pursue
those responsible for acts of terrorism.
Preemptive self-defense violates
international law, which states that nations may defend themselves against an
immediate attack, but signature strikes and double taps do not attack those who
pose an immediate threat. Rather, signature strikes target individuals who fit
a profile, and double taps eliminate rescuers and other innocent people who
rush to the scene of the first attack.
International human rights law
does not allow the use of Hellfire missiles because their heavy fire power
exceeds the limits of fire power allowed for law enforcement purposes,
according to the American Society of International Law.
Do drones make us safer?
The justification for drone strikes
is that they target “terrorists” and protect Americans and the citizens on the
ground, when in reality these attacks result in high casualties, tarnish the United States’
reputation, and fuel retaliation. Drone strikes violate national sovereignty,
and Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has repeatedly condemned the use of
drone strikes in Pakistan.
In general drones foster anti-American sentiment abroad and threaten our
national security as well as the safety of those living in Yemen, Pakistan,
and Somalia.
Who are the Unmanned Systems
Caucus?
The Unmanned Systems Caucus
supports the rapid development, acquisition, and use of drones. The
representatives that comprise the caucus are listed below:
Co-Chairs
Buck McKeon (CA-25)
Henry Cuellar (TX-28)
Members:
Rob Bishop (UT-1)
Anne Marie Buerkle (NY-25)
Robert Brady (PA-1)
Mo Brooks (AL-5)
Madeleine Bordallo (Guam)
Larry Bucshon (IN-6)
Ken Calvert (CA-44)
André Carson (IN-7)
Tom Cole (OK-4)
Mike Conaway (TX-11)
Gerald Connolly (VA-11)
Joe Courtney (CT-2)
Kevin Cramer (ND-At-Large)
Ander Crenshaw (FL-4)
Blake Farenthold (TX-27)
Randy J. Forbes (VA-4)
Trent Franks (AZ-2)
Paul Gosar (AZ-1)
Gene Green (TX-29)
Colleen Hanabusa (HI-1)
Richard Hanna (NY-24)
Andy Harris (NY-24)
Vicky Hartzler (MO-4)
Joe Heck (NV-3)
Duncan Hunter (CA-52)
Darrell Issa (CA-49)
Lynn Jenkins (KS-2)
William Keating (MA-10)
Doug Lamborn (CO-5)
Frank LoBiondo (NJ-2)
Frank Lucas (OK-03)
Kevin McCarthy (CA-22)
Michael T. McCaul (TX-10)
Candice Miller (MI-10)
Pete Olson (TX-22)
Steven Palazzo (MS-04)
Steve Pearce (NM-02)
Mike Pompeo (KS-4)
Scott Rigell (VA-4)
Dana Rohrabacher (CA-46)
Thomas Rooney (FL-16)
Loretta Sanchez (CA-47)
Mike Simpson (ID-2)
David Schweikert (AZ-6)
Michael R. Turner (OH-3)
Joe Wilson (SC-2)
Robert J. Wittman (VA-1)
Don Young (AK-At-Large)
Does the U.S. use drones
domestically?
Domestic drone use is currently
limited to surveillance along the nation’s borders and within a few states,
such as Texas and Florida. In February of 2013, the U.S. sent surveillance drones into Mexico to
gather information about drug trafficking. The restrictions currently in place
are due to concerns about air safety and infringement of privacy. The
push for drone use within the United
States is strong, and drones manufacturers
are considering the option of drones that would fire rubber bullets and spray
tear gas to assist law enforcement.
How does drone surveillance
violate the Fourth Amendment?
Because surveillance drones have
thermal and x ray imaging capabilities, they are extremely pervasive. The
Fourth Amendment protects citizens against unreasonable searches and seizures,
and surveillance drone technology violates those rights.
Is there a pro-drone lobby?
The Association for Unmanned
Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) is the largest pro-drone lobby. Their
membership exceeds 7,500, and their vision, as listed on their website, reads,
“To improve humanity by enabling the global use of robotic technology in
everyday lives.” They function to organize conventions, fund student
competitions that encourage an interest in robotics and technology, and release
publications that concern drone technology. Their work emphasizes the
technological significance of drones but fails to mention the near 4,000
civilian casualties of drone wars.
Who are the top drones
manufacturers?
Top profiteers of the U.S.'s billions
spent on drones include Boeing, General Atomics, Lockheed Martin, Northrop
Grumman, AeroVironment, Prox Dynamics AS, Denel Dynamics, SAIC, Israeli
Aerospace Industries, Textron, General Dynamics, DJI.
Predator and Reaper drones are
built by San Diego-based General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), a
sister company to General Atomics. The drone factory is located about 25 miles
northeast from the main headquarters in Poway, CA. Between 1998-2003 General
Atomics Aeronautical Systems had won over $980,000,000 in
defense contracts. General Atomics is a leading company in a multitude of
high-tech resources giving generously to both Democrats and Republicans. In
2008, the General Atomics PAC
spent $173,800 contributing to the Democrats and $211,300 to the Republicans.
According to The San Diego
Union-Tribune article "Prowling for Profit,"
the Predator and Reaper generally cost $4 million to $12 million each.
The U.S. Defense Appropriations FY2010 key investments included $489 million for 24
new Reaper drones.The upcoming U.S. Defense Appropriations FY2011 includes: $2.2 billion for procurement of Predator-class
aircraft to increase the Combat Air Patrols (CAPs) available to deployed forces
from 37 to 65 by 2013; and doubling procurement of the MQ-9 Reaper over the
next few years.
What Senate Committees deal
with the drones issue?
The Senate Judiciary Committee
consists of 18 members who have jurisdiction over issues of federal criminal
law in addition to issues of human rights, immigration law, intellectual
property rights, antitrust law, and internet privacy. The Senate Judiciary
Committee handles issues of drone policy and laws.
What is President Obama’s
stance on drone strikes?
President Obama has defended the
controversial use of drone strikes. He stated in his address on May 23, 2013,
on U.S.
drone and counterterror policy that drones are an essential component of
national security. However, his administration continually stresses the
effectiveness of the program, when, in reality, drones have an accuracy rate of
1.5-2%, have resulted in a few thousand civilian casualties, and serve to
radicalize drone strike survivors against the United States.
Israel and drones
As far back as 1982 Israel used drones against Syria. In the
early nineties Israelis drones were us in the Kosovo campaign. The Israeli Air
Force invades the skies over Lebanon
and patrols occupied West Bank and besieged Gaza with drones. Twenty-nice civilians,
including eight children were killed in what appeared to be six missiles by
drones in Gaza.
In Beirut, Lebanon an Israeli drone fired and
killed at least 6 civilians and wounding 16. Israel
refuses to confirm whether it is using armed drones over Gaza.
Israel ranks second after the United States in the development
and possession of drones, according to those in the industry. As the drones get
bigger and move advanced the more expensive they become. Small drones cost tens
of thousands of dollars. Big drones are hugely expensive. Some costs as much as
$60 million. Elbit Systems Ltd and Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd are the two
manufacturers making the deadly drones -- Heron TP/Eitan and Hermes 450.
Between 2009-2018 the U.S.
is scheduled to give Israel
30 billion dollars in military aid. The Israeli Air Force since at least 2005
have been training many operators and maintainers.
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