Unmanned Aerial Vehicles: Effectiveness, Politics, and Future Employment against Threats of Terrorism and Political Violence.

• In Event: Drones on Terrorism

Abstract

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles have seen extensive use by a variety of national forces in asymmetrical conflicts throughout various theaters of conflict. While the use of these systems has raised many legal questions and arguments for and against the effectiveness of these various campaigns, most criminological research has not addressed the relative merits of UAVs or the implications of the more advanced systems that are currently in development and testing. This presentation examines the effectiveness of UAVs as used against suspected terrorist targets and the political and legal ramifications that arise from the use of these vehicles. Political implications regarding the use of these systems is examined using data from engagements in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Yemen, and areas around Israel. Given that nations are increasing taking a risk-based approach to the control of terrorism and political violence, it is likely that the use of unmanned aircraft will increase along with the proliferation of these devices to other countries. Criminology, as a discipline must examine the positive and negative possibilities associated with these future developments in order to guide policy at an international level and to promote the beneficial use of UAVs in the prevention or resolution of future conflicts.

Author

• Michael Alan Hollingsworth, Old Dominion University