John B. Alexander

It’s not about drones. The current controversy over the use of drones in combat is misguided. Drones, or more correctly unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), are distinguished from other aircraft due to the location of the pilots. But where the crew sits is not the right issue. This debate is another example of blaming technology for human misdeeds.

The real problem lies with the decision makers who choose to go to war when American national interests are difficult to articulate or better alternatives exist. An integral part of that equation is inadequate understanding of the consequences of those decisions by political leaders. When coupled with lack of personal accountability for the death and destruction they sow, it is a recipe for disaster. Too frequently we have taken the short-term tactical view while disregarding the strategic implications to the operations.

There is little doubt that advances in technologies play an important role in those war-making decisions and the controversy that follows. Employing drones, or other robotic weapons, lessens the personal risk to the operators. Improved […]