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> terrorism describes the infliction of civilian casualties meant to create a disproportionate climate of fear. By this definition, drones used in warfare are a
by skj 9y ago
> terrorism describes the infliction of civilian casualties meant to create a disproportionate climate of fear. By this definition, drones used in warfare are a form of terrorism.
It's hard to read the rest of your post with that opener.
You may believe that drones are used poorly, and you may believe they naturally result in higher civilian casualties, but there is absolutely nothing that implies that "by definition". Drones are simply another weapon that happens to have human operators located elsewhere.
- grandalf 9y agoA drone makes a loud noise as it hovers invisibly above, piloted from afar. It contains sophisticated sensor systems to allow it to detect the heat of human bodies, and cameras and computer systems that can do face matches with long lists of people deemed OK to kill. By your logic, drones are simply airplanes... simply a transportation device. That is obviously not a useful level of abstraction with which to view their use in war. In our modern wars, drones are used as intimidation devices, with the sound of their propellers issuing a constant reminder that anyone may be the next to die. They are thus much more akin to dropped leaflets containing propaganda meant to persuade an enemy population. In the past, leaflets have been used to do intimidation by declaring the time in the future when a nearby building would be obliterated. The locals, after reading the leaflet and seeing the building obliterated, were meant to have greater respect for the powerful nation that dropped the leaflets and to become more obedient to it.