Drone strikes are the source of intense debate in international security circles, with some scholars and policymakers arguing for their efficacy and others criticizing them from value-neutral perspectives. However, most analyses of drone strikes fail to consider the on-the-ground effects of this strategy. This article will attempt to fill this gap by looking at the serious and harmful consequences that drone strikes have had on the state and society in Pakistan.
The escalating use of drones in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province has been particularly alarming. The strikes have resulted in civilian casualties, including children, and report after report shows a reckless disregard for civil life. This is especially clear in the latest attack which targeted a volleyball game, killing one child and wounding five more.
It’s also a major setback for President Obama’s policy of disrupting, dismantling, and defeating al-Qaeda in the FATA region of Pakistan. Although many of his aides want him to scale back the drone campaign, Obama is determined to continue it until he leaves office.
The death of Hakimullah Mehsud is a stinging reminder of the human costs of this policy. The drone strike will likely spark infighting within the group and rekindle fears of American aggression. But Mehsud’s death will not destroy the group or stop it from carrying out attacks on the US. Indeed, the American public should be prepared for retribution from a newly emboldened Taliban, which will seek revenge for its leader’s loss.
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