A large component which Singer emphasizes is the fear which society holds whenever a new technological advancement is introduced. Singer states that the technology will force the population to question the safety of the people, which requires the government to take on more responsibilities to accommodate this fear. Recent advancements in technology, such as GPS, have made drones more usable, introducing the worries of public safety and government accommodation to the United States (“The Predator”). The increase in unmanned machines can be seen in multiple instances, such as in the Afghan war like previously stated. According to Singer, “Another example of how far the change has gone is that last year, the U.S. Air Force trained more unmanned systems operators than fighter and bomber pilots combined” (par 9). Specifically this past year, the headlines are becoming increasingly bombarded with the recent advancements of drone technology (“Military Robotics”), which represents the civilian appeal to opening up the drone market. Along with a brief background of United States drone use, Singer also addresses the economic potential if drones were to become permitted to civilian population. This introduces the first benefit of domestic drone implementation, which is that the drone market will bring high profits to the United States, increasing the economy. While from this point drone use has been primarily implemented by governments throughout the world, now civilian companies are interested in adapting the technology for their own use. Ff civilian application were to become a reality, the national airspace would need to become available. However, according to Singer, there is already a deadline, for September 15, 2015, in place by Congr... ... middle of paper ... ...and Intelligence. Ed. Sylvia Engdahl. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2012. Current Controversies. Rpt. from "We Can See Everything." In from the Cold 2 Jan. 2011. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 20 Apr. 2014. Harris, Shane. "Drones Away." ProQuest Research Library. ProQuest, Oct. 2013. Web. 20 Apr. 2014. Naiden, F.S. "Heroes and drones: drones fly in the face of lessons taught to us by centuries of warfare." The Wilson Quarterly 37.4 (2013). Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 20 Apr. 2014. Singer, Peter W. "Military Robotics and Ethics: A World of Killer Apps."Brookings.edu. The Brookings Institute, 21 Sept. 2011. Web. 20 Apr. 2014. Singer, Peter W. "The Predator Comes Home: A Primer on Domestic Drones, Their Huge Business Opportunities, and Their Deep Political, Moral, and Legal Challenges."Brookings.edu. The Brookings Institute, 08 Mar. 2013. Web. 16 Mar. 2014.
Controversy has plagued America’s presence in the Middle East and America’s usage of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) contributes vastly to this controversy. Their usefulness and ability to keep allied troops out of harm’s reach is hardly disputed. However, their presence in countries that are not at war with America, such as Pakistan and Yemen, is something contested. People that see the implications of drone use are paying special attention to the civilian casualty count, world perspective, and the legality of drone operations in non-combative states. The use of drone technology in the countries of Yemen and Pakistan are having negative consequences. In a broad spectrum, unconsented drone strikes are illegal according to the laws of armed conflict, unethical, and are imposing a moral obligation upon those who use them. These issues are all of great importance and need to be addressed. Their legality is also something of great importance and begins with abiding to the Laws of Armed Conflict.
On the use of drones, NYT’s Peter M. Singer (“Do Drones Undermine Democracy?”) makes the comprehensive argument that the use of drones goes against the how wars are meant to be fought—human participation. It can be counter argued that these automatons are better in terms of expendability; personnel are not easily replaced while drones are easily replaceable. The Bush 43 strategy relied more on men, and it did yielded adverse results politically. The switch to drones presented dynamic political benefits, for which Singer argued allowed for circumvention of aggravated/emotive discourse among members of the American populace, academics and mass media. It is imperative to remember that the cost of the campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq—increases in casualties—was detrimental to the American credibility and brought about victory to Obama in 2008 elections.
Firmin DeBrabander’s "Drones and the Democracy Disconnect" appeared in the September 2014 magazine The New York Times. The article in this paper shows DeBrabander aiming to convince his readers that the United States is gradually becoming a warring nation with fewer and fewer warriors and few who know the sacrifices of war. "Drones represent the new normal, and are an easy invitation to enter into and wage war indefinitely." DeBrabander tries to explain to his audience on what’s going on with the Drones and the ISIS, but fails to do so.
Ever since, the U.S. military has advanced significantly in remote targeted killings, and the drone has become notably popular. These aircrafts are used primarily to spy and eventually kill an individual without having to put army boots down on surrounding ground. Drones are especially important for military missions that are deemed too dangerous for military soldiers to physically be there (Tice). The use of a drone can “get the job done” without having to be concerned with the common death and trauma of American soldiers, that ground combaters encounter daily. Drones are unmanned machines that fly with the help of lithium-polymer batteries, and give information to the drone pilot through attached sensors (Tice). These sensors have the ability to measure the distance and speed of the target, which allows the drone pilot to make an accurate hit on the victim (Tice). Missiles, that are secured onto the drone, are prompted to launch when the drone pilot deems the time is appropriate. Although this newly invented technology greatly assists the United States military in fighting war and potentially preventing danger, I believe that unmanned drones are causing more harm for our future warfare. The use of remotely-controlled aircrafts, in warfare, profoundly desensitizes the drone pilots, to the terrors of war because it makes killing too easy and ultimately
Murphy, Dan. "Aerial Drones Serve as Weapons of War." Weapons of War. Ed. Diane Andrews Henningfeld. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2012. At Issue. Rpt. from "Briefing: Aerial Drones as Weapons of War." Christian Science Monitor (22 May 2009). Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 25 Feb. 2014.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), also known as Drones have been used since the civil war, according to the U.S. Department of Defense. The idea of unmanned aerial vehicles had been growing more and more with every conflict our nation has come across. The use of drones is now in full effect, ranging from military operations to relief efforts. Controversies around the increased use of drones include target killings by the military and surveillance by drones within the U.S. Target killing has shown to be effective and favorable against terrorism but some have seen it as a violation of human rights
(Custom Reader 104) This topic intrigued me because I haven’t really thought about if the American citizens had to run in fear for their lives, knowing a drone flying around your safe territory could randomly eliminate you at any time. This made me wonder if situations like this created enmity or jealousy towards the safeguarded citizens belonging to the aggressor. The article highlights O’Connell’s dismay that the misuse and misplacement of drones within ethical bounds has fanned fire into the flames, only making those opposed to the United States angrier. (106) While O’Connell’s argument is definitely sincere in caring for the well-being of other beings, I believe that there can definitely situation in which another hostile would resort to hiding within the safe zones, which would endanger those who are immediately surrounding him and those who he may be plotting against. While this does not intrinsically warrant deployment of drones to search for and eliminate the target, it forces a great burden on to the shoulders of the CTU and the government that I’m sure no person would
In this day and age the face of warfare has changed completely. The implementation of drone warfare to the modern day military doctrine has been a strong point of controversy since its origins. One of the biggest controversies facing drone is the killing of unarmed civilians across the Middle East. Unmanned: Americas Drone Wars is a documentary focusing on targets, or should I say murders of innocent civilians throughout Pakistan. The documentary steps through first hand accounts on both ends of the spectrum, drone pilot and drone victims. The major point that is examined, is the United States wrong in using drone warfare, is controversial just like any other thing in American politics and warfare.
“FALL BACK!” The soldier, pinned down in Afghanistan, has no way out. He looks back to his fellow Marines, a terrorized look on his face. The enemy approaches, and he can’t move. As if by a miracle, the incoming terrorists are quickly neutralized by an overhead drone, saving the soldier's life and allowing him to return back to his comrades. This, an example of one of the many uses of drones today, serves to show how much of an impact drones can have. A drone, or UAV, is a pilotless craft that is controlled by a remote (“Drone” 2015). As technology advances, the use of drones becomes progressively more prominent. Drones, an extremely useful tool, have a multitude of uses.
Prominent author and drone researcher Michael Smith outlines the best pathway to creating law enforcement drone use regulation, describing that “While it may be difficult for governments to adapt to changing technology, the courts have less flexibility and fewer resources to adequately regulate government drone use—which leaves state legislatures as the best avenue for addressing the issue” (Smith 424). This quote means that while all three branches of government sometimes struggle to keep up with rapid technology changes in the world today, the courts have the least ability to effectively regulate domestic drone use due to their rigid structure, overspent resources and the extensive amount of time it takes for substantive change to occur. This relates to my text as it will
U.S. law enforcement and the military is greatly expanding its use of domestic drones for surveillance. Routine aerial surveillance would profoundly change the character of public life in America. A lot of states are considering (and some have passed) legislation regulating the use of drones. Some law enforcement’s and military rescue drones have the capability of “looking down” with high resolution video cameras to survey and search an area below. The use of drones in America is more than likely going to increase later on. The U.S. military uses an attack called a ‘‘drone strike’’ which wipes out hundreds dangerous terrorists in countries like Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iraq. Drones are protecting us, stopping criminals, and saving people's lives all around the U.S.
Anderson, Kenneth. "The Case for Drones." Commentary. Jun. 2013: 14. SIRS Issues Researcher. Web. 30 Apr. 2014.
A lot of countries all over the world depend on technological advances to fight against their opponents. This reduced the risk of having a soldier wounded or dying in a war by making it easier with using these technologies when it comes to head to head combat. Even though using technologies are a great idea but many ethical issues arise from it. One of the main issue is the use of these Drones. This technology is developing more and more. In a recent study showed that there are over 700 active drone development all over the world and these programs are controlled under companies, research institutes, and the government. United States is mainly using these drones to fight against so called “terrorist” but some other countries use them as well. It is immoral and unethical to use these drones because it cause psychological disorders, violate privacy, cause deaths of innocent lives, and increase terrorism. (Reardon)
Drones are an emerging technology that has countless benefits and a myriad of intangible side-effects. I will clearly explain how drones effect on our lives by exploring the Social, Cultural, Political and Environmental impacts drone technology presents in our lives today.
Yenne, Bill (2004). Attack of the Drones: A History of Unmanned Aerial Combat. MN: Zenith Imprint.