Are drone operations crucial for military success?
• Drones are counterproductive. Errors, such as accidental bombing of civilian sites, “are not only tragic, but also counterproductive. Sympathetic local politicians will be embarrassed and previously neutral non-combatants may take the enemy’s side.” The Economist, “Droning on”, April 2010 • Lack of situational awareness. Most military operations require “that warriors at all levels have a profound understanding of the effects they are aiming to achieve. Learning by seeing, feeling and ‘suffering’ alongside one’s adversary all contribute to this situational understanding.” People operating drones from far away have none of these inputs. “The Psychology of Remote Control Warfare”, by Wing Commander Pete York, GBR AF • Drones undermine cooperation with allies. Bobby Ghosh and Mark Thompson in Time say that Pakistanis despise pilotless aircrafts: “The accusation of cowardice is especially damaging in the tribal areas, where bravery is regarded as an essential quality in an ally.” “The Pr
