Without question, drones are changing the face of modern warfare. They are relatively easy to maneuver and have started to become the number one choice for both the military and CIA in fighting terrorism abroad. This is because they are more effective than other methods and reduce the risk of American lives. There are a few drawbacks to using drones, but the benefits generally outweigh the risks. .
Drone strikes have become both the military and CIA's weapon of choice in fighting terrorism abroad. "The U.S. government runs two drone programs" (Mayer 2). The military program operates in active war zones. The CIA's program targets terror suspects all over the world, especially in countries where U.S. troops are not based. There are many benefits to using drones. Unlike alternative methods such as missiles from a fighter jet, drone strikes create much smaller, more precise blast zones that decrease the risk of unwanted casualties. "Predator drones, with their superior surveillance abilities, have a better track record for accuracy than fighter jets, according to intelligence officials" (Mayer 2). Drones are able to hover above a target's' location for hours, enabling officials to make better decisions based on this surveillance. "Drones have also undercut terrorists' ability to communicate and to train new recruits" (Byman 33). This is due to the fact that terrorists do not want to draw attention to themselves by meeting in large groups, which would allow a drone strike to take them all out at once. Another benefit of using drones is that they reduce the risk of American lives. Instead of sending in ground troops in a hostile environment to take out a terrorist member, the CIA or the military deploys a drone. .
There is much criticism surrounding the drone programs. Yes, drone strikes have killed innocent people. However, no better alternative methods exist. "In December 2009, the United States fired Tomahawks at a suspected terrorist training camp in Yemen, and over 30 people were killed in the blast, most of them women and children.
