Drones are unmanned aerial vehicles deployed by U.S. defense and intelligence agencies to collect data and strike suspected enemy targets. The first known U.S. strike was the 2002 killing of al-Qaeda operative Qaed Salim Sinan al-Harethi in Yemen. Between 2022 and 2020 the U.S. killed between 9,000 and 18,000 enemy combatants and 900-2200 civilians with drone strikes. Opponents of drone strikes have long contended strikes that kill civilians essentially serve as a recruiting poster for terrorist groups. In 2010, a man named Faisal Shahzad tried and failed to bomb Times Square in New York City. Later, Shahzad cited US drone strikes as his motivation for the failed bombing. Proponents of drone strikes argue that they can kill high value w=enemy targets without putting soldiers into combat.
70% Yes |
30% No |
58% Yes |
18% No |
8% Yes, but only with permission from the country in question |
8% No, only to gather intelligence, not to kill suspected terrorists |
4% Yes, the U.S. needs to use all means necessary to combat terrorism |
5% No, the military has no right to do so without a Congressional declaration of war |
See how support for each position on “Drones” has changed over time for 6.7m America voters.
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See how importance of “Drones” has changed over time for 6.7m America voters.
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Unique answers from America users whose views extended beyond the provided choices.
@8JCJLWV3yrs3Y
Yes but ideally with permission from the country in question.
@5923DDK3yrs3Y
We are killing innocents. We are destroying hospitals by mistake. Sometimes I think about the panic our citizenry would fly into if other nations started using killer drones on us. We would be outraged. And yet here we are, doing this very thing to them.
@979XN3F1yr1Y
Yes, but only if there is no risk of any civilian casualties
@58NVHL83yrs3Y
Isn't this exactly why we have secret spy agencies?
@9GN5KWP6mos6MO
Absolutely to gather intelligence, but assassinations should be permitted only for confirmed, not simply suspected, terrorists
@9GK257P6mos6MO
Absolutely to gather intelligence. Assassination should be reserved for undeniably confirmed terrorists
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@J0intResolMax13hrs13H
I’m not sold on the idea that firing 300+ drones and missiles was only meant to be “performative” and not inflict real damage. Seems like if that was your goal, you could accomplish it without wasting so many valuable munitions. But who knows
@ISIDEWITH18hrs18H
Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant told Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin Sunday that Israel has no choice but to respond to the unprecedented missile and drone attack launched by Iran over the weekend, a U.S. official and another source briefed on the call told Axios.The Biden administration and several other Western countries allied with Israel are urging Benjamin Netanyahu's government not to rush into a retaliation against Iran that could lead to a regional war. The Israeli war cabinet convened on Monday to discuss Israel's possible response.Iran launched nearly 350 attack drones and missiles against Israel on April 13 in retaliation for an April 1 Israeli airstrike on its embassy compound in Syria that killed a top Iranian general and others.
@ISIDEWITH1 day1D
An unnamed official from the Saudi royal family tells the Kan public broadcaster that “any suspicious object” that enters Saudi Arabian airspace is intercepted, an apparent nod toward the kingdom’s alleged role in shooting down Iranian attack drones headed for Israel last night.The Saudi official also…
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