US drone attacks killing hundreds of civilians in Pakistan

image
Published: 09 Mar, 2010
Updated: 13 Oct, 2022
1 min read

New America Foundation, an American based think tank, has claimed that nearly 33% of those killed by drones in Pakistan have been civilians.  This report corroborates claims made by Pakistani authorities earlier this year.



The largely secretive Drone program in Pakistan, headed by the CIA, has drawn heated criticism from human rights groups, antiwar organizations, and even some top military officials.  In addition, according to a recent poll conducted by Gallup Pakistan, only 9% of Pakistanis supported the strikes.  Despite this opposition, President Obama has continued to order a record number of Drone strikes, far surpassing the total during the entire Bush administration.



Proponents argue that unmanned Predator Drone strikes are more economical and lower the probability of US troop casualties.  They also question the accuracy of civilian death tolls, and often blame ruthless militants for blending in with the civilian population, leading to the unfortunate incidence of collateral damage.



Opponents argue that Drone attacks are unlawful, extrajudicial killings, since the United States has not declared war or granted Letters of Marque & Reprisal, as stipulated in Article I Section 8 of the Constitution.  Some top military officials, such as David Kilcullen, one of the architects of the 2007-2008 Iraq surge, as well as Philip Giraldi, a 19 year counter-terrorism veteran of the CIA, claim that the high incidence of civilian casualties is actually creating more terrorists.  Top trends forecaster, Gerald Celente, has even issued warnings of another terrorist attack against the US due to escalation in Afghanistan and Pakistan.



So, what do you think?



Do you believe these attacks are lawful or unlawful?



Should we be more concerned with civilian casualties, or are they an unfortunate fact of life in the War on Terror?



Do you believe Drone attacks are making us more or less safe back home?

Latest articles

CA capitol building dome with flags.
Why is CA Senator Mike McGuire Trying to Kill the Legal Cannabis Industry?
California’s legal cannabis industry is under mounting pressure, and in early June, state lawmakers and the governor appeared poised to help. A bill to freeze the state’s cannabis excise tax at 15% sailed through the State Assembly with a unanimous 74-0 vote. The governor’s office backed the plan. And legal cannabis businesses, still struggling to compete with unregulated sellers and mounting operating costs, saw a glimmer of hope....
03 Jul, 2025
-
7 min read
I voted buttons
After First RCV Election, Charlottesville Voters Back the Reform: 'They Get It, They Like It, They Want to Do It Again'
A new survey out of Charlottesville, Virginia, shows overwhelming support for ranked choice voting (RCV) following the city’s first use of the system in its June Democratic primary for City Council. Conducted one week after the election, the results found that nearly 90% of respondents support continued use of RCV....
03 Jul, 2025
-
3 min read
Crowd in Time Square.
NYC Exit Survey: 96% of Voters Understood Their Ranked Choice Ballots
An exit poll conducted by SurveyUSA on behalf of the nonprofit better elections group FairVote finds that ranked choice voting (RCV) continues to be supported by a vast majority of voters who find it simple, fair, and easy to use. The findings come in the wake of the city’s third use of RCV in its June 2025 primary elections....
01 Jul, 2025
-
6 min read