Book Review - The Humanitarian Impact of Drones

The Humanitarian Impact of Drones is, as Chris Heynes says in the preface, “a most welcome contribution to a vital debate,” chiefly because it extends beyond the legal lens used to consider the rights and wrongs of particular targeted killings, often the criticism which dominates the debate on the use of armed drones. 

Instead, split in to two parts, the report covers broader humanitarian ‘impacts’ and ‘perspectives.’ It includes its fair share of discussion on the impacts of targeted killings and the legal perspectives on these actions but chapters range from the impact on peace and security and the environment, to gender-based and religious perspectives. 

Throughout, the chapters are interspersed with case studies from countries or regions, relating to the various topics covered. The report moves between practical, theoretical and legal frameworks to offer a comprehensive understanding of the nature of drone warfare in its fullest sense.

In this review I want to highlight a few of the issues that are not normally covered. This is not to suggest that the chapters on international law, humanitarian law and the case studies on countries like Yemen, where targeted killing has become an integral part of the US war on terror, are not important. 

They are, and remain central to the debate on drone use – the chapters in this report make for sobering reading on the extent of targeted killing and associated civilian casualties. However, it is the issues that are not so commonly covered in armed drone research and lobbying that make this report so critical.

Leaving numbers of those killed illegally or wrongfully aside, the report seeks to address impacts on issues that are less quantifiable. In a short chapter, Elizabeth Minor (Article36) and Doug Weir (Toxic Remnants of War Project) asks what the unique impact of drone strikes might be on the environment, since drone strikes are often conducted in more densely populated areas and contain new metals and components that have not been tested to assess their toxicity levels. 

Moreover, drone strikes are more likely to be used to hit “environmentally risky” targets in densely populated areas, causing contamination and harm to the civilian population. 

The environmental consequences of warfare of any sort are often ignored, or at least not measured, and this under-reported an unquantifiable harm has the potential to increase with the proliferation of armed drone use.

A problematic issue that is often dismissed by supporters of armed drones, but has been something that Drone Wars UK has consistently sought to address, is covered by Chris Cole in his chapter on ‘Harm to Global Peace and Security.’ 

The fallacy of the term ‘precision strike’, which has warped the public perception of the effectiveness of drone strikes, is unpacked, as it the increased potential for cross-border strikes. This is backed up by revealing statements from military personnel and lawyers in their support for drone warfare. We must take note of these issues and remain vigilant to the slide towards perpetual conflict.

Original Review on: dronewars.net