Although many people criticize the U.S. government for using drones, or remotely piloted aircraft, as weapons to find and kill targets in other countries, their use has increased during the Obama administration.
Reports say the U.S. has dramatically increased its use of drones to go after targets in hard-to-reach areas, including in Afghanistan, Somalia, Libya and especially Pakistan.
Drones have reportedly killed more than 2,000 Taliban and al-Qaida militants, including the U.S.-born al-Qaida militant Anwar al-Awlaki.
The use of drones as military weapons has stirred protests, including last June in Karachi, where Pakistanis complained too many innocents are killed by errant strikes. And in Nevada, protesters outside Creech Air Force Base also condemned the deaths of innocent civilians.
Questions about what happens as the technology spreads are also stirring. Britain and Israel have already used drones. Other nations are in the process of developing their own models.
Warm Up Questions
1. What is a war? Is the U.S. currently fighting a war?
2. What are weapons of war?
3. What does it mean when a weapon of war is "unmanned?"
Discussion Questions
1. What is a drone?
2. Why are drones being used in hard-to-reach areas such as Afghanistan, Somalia, Libya and especially Pakistan?
3. Why are some people protesting the use of drones?
4. What are the benefits of using a drone? What are the drawbacks?
Additional Resources
Does U.S. Drone Use Set a New Precedent for War?
