Faith Kisio- Drones Final Copy

8/13/2019 Faith Kisio- Drones Final Copy

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Drones: the only game in town

Abstract

This paper provides an analysis on the use of drones based on theories as described in the ambit

of international relations. By so doing, the debates for and against will provide the data citing the

probable justification for their use. This will be done by first providing a background on drones

and their use by analyzing different news coverage by reporters such as Christianne Amanpour

and different newspaper and magazine articles. The paper will also use interviews from former

CIA officials, drone operators and the human rights activists to assess the evidence given for and

against the use of drones. As this debate provides insights into international relations in the 21 st

Century, the question of anarchy as prescribed by international relations theories will be in the

forefront of these debates.

Contents

Abstract................................................................................................................................................... 1

Introduction............................................................................................................................................. 2

Identify and eliminate the target: A neo-realist Perspective...................................................................... 4

Neo-liberalism and The Just War Theory................................................................................................. 8

Constructivism ...................................................................................................................................... 12

Conclusion ............................................................................................................................................ 14

References:............................................................................................................................................ 16


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Introduction

Though media coverage on the use of drones has increased over the last few years, drones were

developed in the mid-twentieth century. In more ways, the cold war served as the contributing

factor for drone development. Fear of manned pilots falling into Soviet hands and disclosing

sensitive secrets (Mikulic, 2013). In order to comprehend the impact and use of said drones as

well as the anti-drone campaign, it is important to understand the definition and its use.

A drone is defined as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVS) controlled by pilots from the ground

or autonomously following a pre-programmed mission (Cole & Wright, 2010). Drones fall into

two major categories: reconnaissance and surveillance purposes and those armed with missiles

and bombs (Cole & Wright, 2010). Drones were first used in the Balkans war (Cole & Wright,

2010). Their use was intensified and escalated in Afghanistan, Iraq and CIAs undeclared war in

Pakistan (Cole & Wright, 2010). Though it was President George W. Bush initiated the use of

drones after 9/11, used increased under the Obama administration with 41 known strikes in

Pakistan (Cole & Wright, 2010). USAF has increased combatant air patrols by 600% over the

past 6 years (Cole & Wright, 2010).

While the Reaper and Predator US and British UAVs- are in Afghanistan and Iraq, they are

controlled via satellite from Nellis and Creech United States Air Force (USAF) base outside Las

Vegas, Nevada (Cole & Wright, 2010). Ground crews launch drones from the conflict zone, then

the operation is handed over to controllers at video screens in specially designed trailers in the

Nevada desert (Cole & Wright, 2010). One person flies the drone, another monitors the cameras

and sensors; a third is in contact with the customers, ground troops and commanders in the war

zone.


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In October, 2013, the United States Congress held a meeting to discuss the use of drones in the

Pakistani region. The audience included witnesses from the war torn area who were trying to

dissuade the US government from drone attacks as well as the congress men. Only four

congressmen including the one who had initiated the discussions- Rep. Alan Grayson were

present for the session (Chichakyan, 2013). One of the victims, Rafiq Ur Rehman, gave an

account citing the falsehood of a report handed over to Congress that mentioned the targeted area

as a car. In actual fact, the drone had killed that string that holds the pearls together, his mother,

contrary to media reports that stated three, four, five militants had been killed (rt.com).

In another account, a 13 year old boy, Zubair told the congress of his fear of drones stating, I no

longer love blue skies. In fact I prefer grey skies. The drones do not fly when the skies are grey.

When the sky brightens, drones return and we live in fear ( Abad-Santos, 2013). The accounts

given above are what Human Rights activists can use in their campaign to classify use of drones

in Pakistan and Yemen as war crimes (Amanpour, 2013). This information is confirmed by

Brooking institution for analysis shows that in 2010, for every one militant killed, 10 civilians

have died (Cole & Wright, 2010). This campaign, if successful, will be a stick in the mud for

CIA Director, Leon Panettas, drones are the only game in town, perspective (Cole & Wright,

2010).


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Identify and eliminate the target: A neo-realist Perspective

In the recent past, neo-realism has been broken down into two, offensive and defensive realism

in regards to security studies and the security dilemma (Griffiths, OCallaghan &, Roach, 2008).

Offensive realists are more in line with traditional realism while defensive realists suggest that

how states act towards each other is determined by whether the states are friends or enemies

(Lamy, 2005). Mearsheimer, an offensive realist suggests that relative power is most important

as opposed to absolute power. Thus, leaders should pursue security policies that weaken

potential enemies and increase their relative powers to all others. This section of the paper will

use Mearsheimers assumptions alongside other key assumptions of neo -realism to analyze the

use of drones by the US.

According to realist thinkers, states are responsible for ensuring their own safety and survival

(Dunne & Schmidt, 2005). After the declaration of war on terror by President Bush following the

September 11 attack back in 2001, the United States has included use of drones to their list of

controversial means of war. Now President, Barack Obama, seemed to have a different

perspective as his campaign- for elections and re-elections-promised to end the war on terror

(Klein, 2013). This stance seems to have since changed. He instead waged his war on terror in

the shadows, using drone strikes and special surveillance to fight a brutal covert war against Al-

Qaeda and other Islamic networks (Boyle, 2013). In his first term, had authorized and launched

more than six times more drones than President Bush. These attacks intertwine with the self-

helpperception of realists.

President Obama reiterated the sentiments of his predecessor classifying a Pakistani American,

Faisal Shahzad as one of those, who would attack our citizens and who would slaughter

innocent men, women and children in pursuit of their murderous agenda, he went on to add, we


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will stop at nothing to kill and disrupt our way of life (Boyle, 2013). This was after Shahzad

testified in court justifying having placed a bomb in the New York Town Square. He was

protesting the drone attacks in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Yemen. His justification of war mirrors

an anarchic structure of international politics whereby, independent sovereign states consider

themselves to be their own highest authority (Dunne & Schmidt, 2005). Before taking action,

the two presidents did not recognize a higher power by declaring war and not considering the

impact of international law, the two administrations justified the anarchical structure represented

by neo-realists. This echoes what Rousseau said in his book, The State of War, that it is not

human nature, but the anarchical system which fosters fear, jealousy, suspicion, and insecurity

(Dunne & Schmidt, 2005).

From a Realist point of view, 9/11 would thus bring home the perennial truth that the

absence of international conflict was no indication of an irreversible qualitative change,

but a temporary lapse in the ebb and flow of tensions within an anarchical system. The

declaration of waron terrorism rekindled interest in the use of force generally, and the

whole topic of war in particular (Buzan & Hansen, 2009).

Though the concept of anarchy is relevant across the three main theories of international

relations, the arguments by Buzan & Hansen were further highlighted by former deputy director

of the CIA, Phillip Mudd in an interview with CNN reporter Hala Gorani. He defended the use

of drones citing them as devastatingly accurate (Krever, 2013). This was in response to the

criticism given by Human Rights Watch director, Kenneth Roth. The International organization

together with Amnesty international had released a report citing that more civilians (57 out of 82

in the last 6 drone attacks) had died from the use of drones (Gorani, 2013). They accused the U.S


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of extrajudicial killings that could even amount to war crimes. To this statement, Mudd

responded stating that:

Americans want war to be antiseptic, precision to me means you identify a target and you

strike a target. If that definition extends to meaning We will never kill a civilian, Im

going to tell you, thats not war (Krever, 2013).

Though Mudd admitted that war was tragic, he never gave an indication as to whether there were

plans to end the strikes soon. He however, alluded to the fact that the use of drones is not a

means of war that is regulated under international law. This remark also brings with it another

aspect of anarchy. The lack laws within the international system- no police means no watchdog

to ensure fair play among states- has been a key argument on the part of realists to do as they

wish citing that anarchy is, a war on all against all (Rutenberg, 2013).

Moreover, his argument while based on the inevitability of war and eventual death, the morality

on the use of drones was not put into consideration. If you want morality, go to church! the

accuracy of drones though a needed advantage does not bring to account their impersonal nature.

In fact, critics of drone use, have argued that the impersonal nature of using drones could in fact

lead to more war because actors are far from the scene and therefore do not experience the first

hand effects of war which would deter war. Journalist, Brianna Lee raises concern about

desensitization of war by cubicle warriors- drone pilots- to whom the concept of war could be

reduced to a video game simulation (Lee, 2012). Moreover, the documentation and accessibility

for everyone to view drone strikes, may turn war into a form of entertainment consequently

leading to desensitization of war for everyone else as well (Lee, 2012).


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Furthermore, the accuracy that the US government is defending on one hand, is what Letta

Tayler of Human Rights Watch says the grounds of war crimes should be based on as civilians

are indiscriminately killed in Yemen. For instance on September 2, 2012, Tayler went on to

state, an attack on a target, alleged al Qaeda militant, Abd al-Raouf al-Dahab, - was "nowhere in

sight" when the United States hit a passenger van and killed 12 people returning from the market

( Cornwell & Hosenball, 2013). The findings of this section reiterate Thucydides, the strong do

what they will and the weak endure what they must (Rutenberg, 2013). Rich-country

governments can use drones to get rid of their enemies without any risk to themselves

(Economist, 2012). That is immoral, and likely to undermine self-restraint.

Another aspect of realism that is seen is that opportunity cost is put into consideration when

making the decision to go to war. This means that governments seek to maximize benefits while

minimizing costs. This also means that the government will only enter into combat if they are to

achieve absolute gains (Lamy, 2005). This has also been seen in the decisions by governments to

use drones instead of the manned fighter jets. Not only are drones cheaper than fighter jets in

regards to costs, but they are also cheaper in regards to number of lives lost. Since the station of

control is miles away from the targeted area, the number of soldiers lost is considerably lower.

This as well as fuel efficiency makes drones a better means of war than deployment of soldiers

or use of fighter jets (Brooks, 2012).


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exchange for consent. Use of force against the perpetrators violates US domestic law that limits

the president to use force only against perpetrators of 9/11 and their affiliates (Husain, 2013).

Though breaching its own laws is not a characteristic of neo-liberalism, the fact that US tried to

do what was possible not to violate Yemeni sovereignty indicates toward respect for

international regimes. Moreover, international terrorists have been known to flock civil war

zones in Yemen, thus providing a justification of the US bartering; Pakistan and the US

government has a tacit arrangement to allow drone attacks (Husain, 2013). This collaboration

with the Pakistani and Yemeni governments also provides legal cover for the US under collective

self-defense (Husain, 2013).

Other precepts of justification of war that are important to analyze are the matter of

proportionality, legitimacy, likelihood for success, last resort, right intentions and, discrimination

(Fotion, 2007). The US has launched 357 drone strikes in Pakistan alone since 2008 and 55 in

Yemen and Somalia (Matthews, 2013) combined resulting in between 2,562 and 3,325 people

deaths in Pakistan between 2004 and 2012 of whom between 474 and 881 were civilians-

number of civilian deaths is thus approximately between 8% and 47% (Brooks, 2012). In regards

to proportionality these numbers far outweigh the number of lives lost in 9/11. It is however

important to note the number of lives lost in all global terror attacks. Most states that have fallen

victim to terror attacks are probably not as capable to take on the global war on terror in terms of

costs and military capabilities. According to Mudd, the capabilities of Al-Qaeda and incidences

in the US have been reduced by the use of drones (Gorani, 2013).

Unlike neo-realists, neo-liberals recognize non-state actors. It is solely on this bias that the

American use of drones could be qualified to neo-liberal behaviour. Not negotiating with


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terrorists is a stance that makes war inevitable rather than a last resort. In the defense of the US,

it is difficult for one to find terrorist to sit and negotiate with them. As Cicero said, laws are

silent in times of war (Freiberger, 2013). However, target ing an individual and eliminating a

threat without trial or proving the person guilty also contravenes the democratic path that the

Americans have based their policies on. This has been the case in the matter of extra-judicial

killings of American Pakistanis who had been allegedly linked to Al-Qaeda and had been killed

by drones denying them due process. For instance, the execution of Anwar al-Awlaki and his son

Samir Khan and, Ahmed Hijazi who were all Americans who died in a drone strike (Matthews,

2013).

War, under neo-liberals is classified as a last resort. This is interpreted to mean that the parties

should consider other means of ending the conflict before taking the plunge (Forion, 2007). As

stated earlier, terrorists are not a clear and cut entity as it would be if the US was in conflict with

a state. Negotiations and other means for resolution would probably have been the steps to be

taken first.

The argument against the morality of drones use has been given. In his speech to the Andrews

Air Force Base, President Obama proved that the decision to launch drones is not one made

without any moral consequences conveying the weight of his decision to go to war. In his

speech, the President cited the difficulty of having to put citizens in harms way and the decision

to use force against individuals as, the hardest thing I do as President (True, 2013). He went on

to state that force alone would not be the driving force for American safety. He also emphasized

the need for, a strategy that reduces the well-spring of extremism, a perpetual war- through

drones or Special Forces or troop deployments (True, 2013). Lack of this would therefore be

self-defeating and have adverse effects on the state. This is emphasized by his May 2013 speech


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at the National Defense University (NDU), where the president promised to end the war on

terror and restrict drone usage to restricted targets and avoid civilian casualties (Dreyfuss,

2013).

Moreover, the argument on the desensitization of war by use of drones debases Brianna Lees

corridor warriors stance. P. W. Singer, a fellow from Brookings Inst itute in his book, Wired

for War states that at times, drone pilots undergo more stress than some deployed soldiers (Lee,

2012). This is explained by the whiplash transitionwhereby drone pilots spend their day in a

virtual war zone then after killing enemy combatants, they have to return home to their families

(Lee, 2012). This sentiment is similar to the account given to Hala Gorani by Brandon Bryant, a

former drone operator. In his interview he explained how he killed a person for the first time in

2007 as he was in a control station in Nevada and the three targets were walking down a dirt

road in Afghanistan (Mullen, 2013). At the point of his retirement in 2011- he turned down a

$109,000 bonus to continue- he was given a document totaling the number of people he killed in

missions (Mullen, 2013). The total number was 1, 626 a fact that made Bryant, sick to his

stomach (Mullen, 2013).

This theory has been instrumental in highlighting the issues of drone usage and its importance in

eradicating terrorists. However, the U.S. Defense Department has repeatedly highlighted how

drones prevent deaths of American soldiers and prevents the nation from terrorist attacks brings

us back to self-interest (Mullen, 2013). This is not to say that liberal thought does not cater for

self-interest. Liberal thought is more inclined to cooperation and collective security; however,

the US has made it clear that the goals and objectives are solely for the protection of Americans.

The universal principles of ethics include: do what you can to minimize the suffering of others,

do not harm others or yourself among others (Fotion, 2007). In this regard, the US has failed.


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Constructivism

Mudd, had mentioned that the use of drones had allowed them to go where Americans did not

have the capability to do so before (Gorani, 2013). To this, one question was left unanswered, at

what cost? Some skeptics to the use of drones have argued that the tragedy can have real

consequences that drone strikes foment anger and, in turn, terrorism (Gorani, 2013). I dont

buy it, Mudd told Gorani, I understand people are angry with these attacks. But if youre

arguing as a practitioner whether this kills terrorists and eliminates terrorism, I think that the

track record on the elimination of al Qaeda operational leaders is indisputable (Gorani, 2013).

Unlike the other theories that only bring national interest into the forefront of analysis,

constructivists call for an understanding of state actions as a pattern of action that shapes and is

shaped by identities over time (Griffiths, OCallaghan &, Roach , 2008). For instance, post-9/11

America, there has been a notable shift in American foreign policy from one of geo-politics to an

era of global politics since 9/11 (Lindsay, 2003). Successive presidents sought to end a state

from dominating any other to the extent of participating in two world wars. This justifies another

constructivist idea that social facts exist because of human agreement (Barnett, 2005). This goes

to show that ideology and any treaties or policies ratified are changeable as par the environment

or crises that a state is going through. The US played a pivotal role in ending the European

conflict and striving for peace within the continent. Today, the US has declared war and sent

drones to Iran, Pakistan, Yemen and Somalia (Matthews, 2013).

Moreover, Lindsay goes on to prove how this shift in ideology could consequently lead to the

change of perception towards the US to one of skepticism and resentment even among ally

states. In his article, Lindsay also highlights a gap between the U.S. and European attitudes


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continues to be fueled by the growing perception that Washington cares only about its own

interests and is willing to use its muscle to get its way (Lindsay, 2003).

European elites increasingly criticize the United States as being morally, socially, and

culturally retrograde. Europe has also begun to exercise diplomatic muscle in

international institutions and other arenas, seeking to create new international regimes

designed to limit America's recourse to its hard power... The sustainability of

American power ultimately depends on the extent to which others believe it is employed

not just in U.S. interests but in their interests as well (Linsay, 2003).

Robert Greenwals, a filmmaker who had been undertaking a project in Pakistan also testified

during the congressional meeting on use of drones. He alluded to the fact that the ongoing

operations waged by the US in the alleged counterterrorism were breeding contempt towards

Americans at a rate that makes Ak-Qaeda jealous (rt.com). He went on to confirm a former US

State Department Officials claims that drone strikes in Yemen were creating dozens of new

militants with each attack (rt.com). He, Greenwald, stated that, there were 100 or 200 fanatics,

but now you have 800,000 people in this area who hate the United States because of this policy

(rt.com).

The accounts cited above justify constructivists line of thought, that, knowledge shapes how

actors interpret and construct social reality (Barnett, 2005). This is seen from two perspectives,

those of the Americans against terrorism and those of the victims of the drone attacks. On one

hand, the Americans view terrorism as a global threat that needs to be eliminated by any means

necessary for the sake of global peace. On the other hand, victims of drone attacks who have

been injured or have lost their family members view Americans as an enemy rather than messiah.


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One clear example of this is seen in the illustration given at the beginning of this paper. When

the 12-year old boy says how he dreads blue skies because the drones will begin their work. This

indicates the level of fear that the American drones-consequently Americans- instill in this

region. Moreover, even with a congressional meeting that was meant to hear accounts on these

drones, only four congressmen were present. This already puts across the rigid stand of the

support of the congress on the use of drones.

Conclusion

The objective of this paper was to link various lines of thought in international relations to the

use of drones. Neo-realism made a comeback as a relevant theory within the drone debate

especially since post-9/11 brought with it, revived concerns about the use of force as the central

theme of Security (Buzan & Hansen, 2009).However, the theory failed in some respects. The

theory validated drone strikes in Afghanistan, Yemen and Pakistan as a safer and cheaper means

of warfare. However, the drones are not being used in a war between two state actors; they are

being used as a counteractive measure in the war on terror.Validating the use of drones in its

primary agenda, to end terrorism, would mean recognizing terrorism and consequently

legitimizing non-state actors. This would be in contradiction to realist thought-which unlike neo-

liberal thought- only recognizes states as key players in international relations

(Griffiths, OCallaghan &, Roach, 2008).

Though the theories used in this research provided ample data on drone usage, they failed in

recognizing its effects in the international system. That is why constructivism would be the best

theory on this matter. For future co-operation and collaboration between the United States and

the afflicted states, it is important for the U.S. to review its stance on drones. With the increase


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in campaigns by human rights organizations, the rigidity in this matter could affect s tates stance

on International Law not to mention, the image of U.S. as a role-model for democracy could be

negatively affected. That is why this paper also sees constructivism as the best theory to deter

states from the sentiment that drones are the only game in town. Though the U.S. has tried to

justify the use of drones in one way or the other, it is important to weigh their efficiency against

their effect.


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Faith Kisio- Drones Final Copy