The utilization of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs or drones) by various countries has introduced a new chapter controversy encompassing aviation history. Drones can carry vital resources, proactive navigation systems, and even volatile weapons for either self defense or targeted killings of militant groups. With the absence of the pilot, drones are much lighter and simpler compared to fighter jets, enabling them to carry various satellite devices, support troops on the ground, and suppress threats from militant groups. The legal premise of targeted killings by UAVs has been supported by many documents, such as Article 51 of the UN Charter, which states that nations are “permitted the right of individual or collective defense across border
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These Western nations aim to rid the word of terrorism and believe the the use of unmanned aerial vehicles is the only effective option, as sending armed troops on ground can prove to be an ineffective method of combatting these militant groups.
For instance, according to an article published in Reuters, a respectable and international news agency with headquarters in the United Kingdom, the U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee has recently approved a plan to increase the use of armed drones to kill suspected militants overseas, even if collateral damage to Middle Eastern nations is involved in the process (Hosenball 1). Similar to the perspective of the U.S Senate Intelligence Committee, the executive branch of the United State’s government holds the perspective that drones are indeed a critical part of President Barack Obama 's counter terrorism strategy and are more effective than other methods. President Obama, during a press conference with CNN, stated that "our preference when dealing with suspected terrorists is to capture, detain, debrief and prosecute them. But the fact is ... in some areas of the world, particularly in remote locations where extremists are hiding out, local authorities have limited capacity” (Vega 2). The difficulty in prosecuting terrorism, according to the executive branch of the US government, exemplifies the possible effectiveness in using and utilizing drones in targeting militant groups, as they are able to deliver covert
These Western nations aim to rid the word of terrorism and believe the the use of unmanned aerial vehicles is the only effective option, as sending armed troops on ground can prove to be an ineffective method of combatting these militant groups.
For instance, according to an article published in Reuters, a respectable and international news agency with headquarters in the United Kingdom, the U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee has recently approved a plan to increase the use of armed drones to kill suspected militants overseas, even if collateral damage to Middle Eastern nations is involved in the process (Hosenball 1). Similar to the perspective of the U.S Senate Intelligence Committee, the executive branch of the United State’s government holds the perspective that drones are indeed a critical part of President Barack Obama 's counter terrorism strategy and are more effective than other methods. President Obama, during a press conference with CNN, stated that "our preference when dealing with suspected terrorists is to capture, detain, debrief and prosecute them. But the fact is ... in some areas of the world, particularly in remote locations where extremists are hiding out, local authorities have limited capacity” (Vega 2). The difficulty in prosecuting terrorism, according to the executive branch of the US government, exemplifies the possible effectiveness in using and utilizing drones in targeting militant groups, as they are able to deliver covert