US Opinion and Commentary

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The Unrealized Threat of Weaponized Drones

Posted October 24th, 2016 at 3:40 pm (UTC-5)
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The drone threat is expanding….Numerous public reports have revealed the use of drones by narco-terrorists to target border agents, drones used to sneak weapons into prisons and drones being used for artillery spotting by ISIS militants.

Losing Control: The Dangers of Killer Robots

Posted June 16th, 2016 at 4:51 pm (UTC-5)
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As artificial intelligence advances, the possibility that machines could independently select and fire on targets is fast approaching. Fully autonomous weapons, also known as “killer robots,” are quickly moving from the realm of science fiction toward reality.

Obama’s Drone War Is a Shameful Part of his Legacy

Posted May 6th, 2016 at 9:23 am (UTC-5)
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There have long been policy, constitutional and moral questions about the drone program — all made more difficult to answer by the Obama administration’s refusal to even acknowledge the program until 2013.

China Swooping in on Military Drone Market

Posted April 6th, 2016 at 1:44 pm (UTC-5)
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Why has China sought to increase its prominence in the drone export market?…the sale of arms is more likely one element in its diplomatic toolkit, giving it an additional way to extend its reach into the Middle East, Latin America and Africa as it builds these security relationships.

Drone Strikes Are Creating Hatred Toward America That Will Last for Generations

Posted December 10th, 2015 at 10:10 am (UTC-5)
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If we want to curb terrorism in the United States, we must stop drone attacks in the Middle East. … ‘The resentment created by American use of unmanned strikes … is much greater than the average American appreciates,’ Gen. [Stanley] McChrystal, who led the US counter-insurgency strategy in Afghanistan, said in 2013.

Obama’s Unaccountable Drone War

Posted May 7th, 2015 at 11:35 am (UTC-5)
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The government has a right to protect secrets on sources and methods relating to its counter-terrorism activity, but such operations should be conducted within a context where it is being honest with the public about what is being done and what the costs are.