CNN: Have drones been effective in Yemen?

In our ever changing and developing world, it has been proved time and time again that it is the military that usually holds all the cards. They are the ones driving most of the technological advancement of our time, not only in military technology but beyond. Take for example the Global Positioning System (GPS), it used to be a covert military operation intended to help soldiers locate their position in unknown territories by using a series of satellites. After a series of successful tests the technology was deemed acceptable for international and public usage.

The newest technology accomplishment achieved by the USA military (who is at the front of all military development) are the unmanned drones also known as UAV's or Predators. They are the pinnacle of modern warfare. The pinpoint precision strikes that each of these drones offers is both useful and dangerous. What if they are employed for other nefarious purposes? What if they are taken over by other potentially dangerous organizations that may not have the best interests of the people in mind but are bent on world domination? Seems exaggerated true, but such a possibility may always occur.

Predator Drone

  In Yemen, this covert war has taken a drastic turn. The many civil wars that have pervaded the lands of Yemen along with the many Al-Qaeda figures that have been operating in the area has increased the amount of drone strikes by 300% over the last two years. Although the Obama administration has nothing but praise for such strikes with no loss of life for American soldiers can we allow this to continue? Drones are virtually undetectable on radar and operate at very low atmospheric heights making escape from such an attack impossible. But what if such drones are in our own countries and we do not even know about it? Of course other countries possess the technology. But not in the same amounts as the USA.

"As of June 6, drone strikes and airstrikes had killed an estimated 531 to 779 people in Yemen, 509 to 713 of whom were identified in media reports as militants, according to the New America Foundation's data."

Back in Yemen, the civilian casualty rate has been very low, a source of comfort for all the critics. The sustained campaign since 2009 has brought about the deaths of many jihadists, militants and others who are considered a security threat for the United States. In July 2011, the United States confirmed that they were within reach of strategically defeating Al-Qaeda and all its allies. But will this really be possible? Nobody knows for certain. But it is certain that new technologies will help. Drones can be deadly effective but they can also be too effective.


http://edition.cnn.com/2012/06/11/opinion/bergen-yemen-drone-war/index.html?hpt=hp_c3


UPDATE

http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2012/06/64-drone-bases-on-us-soil/

64 Confirmed drone bases in the United States alone! Consequences? Immense.