US public support for drone strikes against asymmetric enemies abroad: Poll trends in 2013

Abstract

Military drones have been much in the news, and numerous polls have sought to measure public opinion relating to US drone strikes – a recent but already iconic image of asymmetric conflict. I examined eight US national polls conducted in 2013 and found that, while a consistent majority supports targeting terrorists with drones, there is a small but increasing minority that disapproves. This trend, along with strong disapproval of US drone strikes in many other countries, points to a possible future in which drones are less acceptable for the stronger side in asymmetric conflict or more accessible to the weaker side.

Keywords::

• drones
• asymmetric conflict
• terrorism
• globalization
• public opinion

Notes

^1.Ackerman, “2012 Year of Drone.”

^2.Associated Press, “Rising US drone strikes”; Al-Muslimi, “America Loses Yemeni People.”

^3.Bokhari, “Sharif Vow to Stop Strikes.”

^4.Yi, “An Eight Year War”; Gordon, “Kerry Pakistan Ending Strikes.”

^5.Chuter, 2013 “Britain's Taranis Demonstrator Delivered”; UAV Global, “Dassault nEUROn”; Perry, “Neuron Partners Show Know-How.”

^6.Clements, “China Copy RQ-170?”; Cenciotti, “Image China's New Drone.”

^7.Albert, “CASSIDIAN Accomplishes Test Flights”; Pocock, “EADS Forges Ahead.”

^8.Wikipedia, “Chief of Staff USAF”; Anderson, “Air Force Love.”

^9.Frieden, “Holder Drone Strike U.S.”

^10.Logiurato, “Rand Paul Filibuster Drone.”

^11.Ackerman, “Drone Strikes More Deadly.”