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One could argue that the US has put a great deal of time, effort and R&D into saving civilian lives, through the drone program itself. The alternative to the dr
by vinceguidry 10y ago
One could argue that the US has put a great deal of time, effort and R&D into saving civilian lives, through the drone program itself. The alternative to the drone program is a traditional military occupation, which would presumably have a much greater death toll, I don't have access to the research.
Or, of course, simply not fighting the war at all. But it doesn't seem like that option is available.
- baursak 10y agoCivilian lives? A more persuasive argument is that primarily it's a tool to be used when popular opinion at home would simply not allow another full-scale military adventure like Iraq or Afghanistan. Secondary consideration is saving US military lives. Foreign civilian lives is by far not the primary concern.
- willhslade 10y agoUh, what? Drone strike target to civilian ratio is over 90%. The reason, and the only reason that the US went to drones is to reduce the cost of operations, with the additional benefit of reducing danger to US personnel. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2014/nov/24/-sp-us-drone-strikes-kill-1147 https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2014/nov/24/-sp-us-drone...