The Drone Debate: A Primer on the U.S. Use of Unmanned Aircraft Outside Conventional Battlefields

(Hardback)

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The Drone Debate offers a thorough investigation of the where, why, how, and when of the U.S.s use of UAVs. Beginning with a historical overview of the use of drones in warfare, it then addresses whether targeted killing operations are strategically wise, whether they are permissible under international law, and the related ethical issues. It also looks at the political factors behind the use of drones, including domestic and global attitudes toward their use and potential issues of proliferation and escalation. Finally, the use of drones by other countries, such as Israel and China, is examined. Each chapter features a case study that highlights particular incidents and patterns of operation in specific regions, including Yemen, Somalia, Pakistan, and Libya and strike types (signature strikes, personality strikes, etc.).

Reviews

Few political topics have drawn such debate in recent years both domestically and internationally as the continued American military reliance on unmanned aerial vehicles as part of overseas conflict strategy. Plaw, Fricker, and Colon masterfully cover the breadth and depth of drone usage across the globe. By examining drones from the perspectives of military strategy, ethics, and international law, the book avoids falling into any single approach to framing the drone debatewhich most similar works unfortunately do. Furthermore, the authors craft a compelling narrative regarding international opinions about the use of drones, although the cited research is restrictive compared to all that is available. Most important, the book is not entirely US-centric; the authors look at how China and Israel use drones in their military strategies. Case studies from different countries focus on patterns and strike types, adding clear examples that help readers understand how complex the drone debate truly is. The book will speak to all readers from drone experts to those simply seeking more knowledge.

Summing Up: Highly recommended. Lower-division undergraduates through faculty.

* Choice Reviews *
Some of these books, such as The Drone Debate...provide admirable overviews of the debate. . . .Plaw, Fricker, and Colon provide the most thorough analysis of the available numbers, highlighting the discrepancies between official figures and those reported by independent organizations. * Foreign Affairs *
The work contains a detailed analysis and an exhaustive search of open-source, unclassified materials that are accessible to any reader of the work. Their citations are thorough and extremely helpful. The authors have presented a balanced study of each of their topic areas, and where applicable, have presented all sides of an open debate without forcing the reader to accept their perspective. In that regard, this is a wonderful introduction to the subject of remotely piloted aircraft and how they have been recently utilized by the United States. This work is a very readable and practical introduction to the key elements of contention regarding the utility of drones in modern conflict. [I]t is an excellent starting point for scholars seeking to determine the primary schools of thought regarding unmanned vehicles in combat, and is a worthy addition to the shelf of any individual interested in modern warfare, military technology, and the ethics of conflict. * H-War *
Offers a wealth of fascinating and important analysis of how drones are used in warfare by several countries, and the ways in which these flying weapons will impact the future of global security. -- James Forest, University of Massachusetts, Lowell
Plaw and Fricker have long been highly respected voices in the contentious debate over U.S. drone use, in no small part due to their excellent empirical research and analytic databases dedicated to shedding light on the notoriously secretive practice of targeted killings. In The Drone Debate, Plaw and Fricker continue their enlightening and important work on this issue, providing a masterful tour de force on the history of drone use and its current implementation across all corners of the globe. It is essential reading for anyone interested in the seemingly ever-rising use of drones and targeted killing as state practice, or anyone who rightly finds these geopolitical life-and-death questions important. Any informed opinion on the matter must necessarily take these experts insights into account. -- Bradley J. Strawser

Author Bio

Avery Plaw is associate professor of political science and director of the university honors program at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth.

Matthew S. Fricker is a co-founder and analyst at the Center for the Study of Targeted Killing at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth.

Carlos R. Colon is a co-founder and analyst at the Center for the Study of Targeted Killing at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth.