Drones have the ability to target one or more specific person, which ultimately keeps civilians safer, since they are not at risk of being caught in between a waging war. The technology drones use is very advanced; the Reaper drone is equipped with numerous visual sensors. These include: infrared sensors, two types of cameras, hellfire missiles, a laser designator, and an illuminator (“MQ-9 Reaper 1”). This technology allows drone operators …show more content…
In the entire Bush administration, he authorized fewer than fifty strikes. Under President Obama, more than four hundred strikes were deployed. Drone strikes have overwhelmed al-Qaeda and similar militant groups, especially during Obama administration. In recent years, key militant leaders have been killed while also denying terrorist sanctuaries in Pakistan and Yemen. Because drone strikes have been so effective, al-Qaeda and Taliban operatives have quit gathering in large groups and communicating through electronic devices to avoid detection This has led to less communication between important leaders of terrorist cells and decreased their ability to recruit and train new members.
The legality of foreign drone strikes has also been an issue. After the 9/11 attack, the Bush administration declared a global war on terror; Congress authorized war against al Qaeda, the Taliban, and their affiliates. The Obama administration continues to depend on the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) to justify ongoing military operations against not only al Qaeda and the Taliban, but also the Islamic State in Syria. The 2001 AUMF does not have a geographical