Drones are unmanned aerial vehicles deployed by U.S. defense and intelligence agencies to collect data and strike suspected enemy targets. The first known U.S. strike was the 2002 killing of al-Qaeda operative Qaed Salim Sinan al-Harethi in Yemen. Between 2022 and 2020 the U.S. killed between 9,000 and 18,000 enemy combatants and 900-2200 civilians with drone strikes. Opponents of drone strikes have long contended strikes that kill civilians essentially serve as a recruiting poster for terrorist groups. In 2010, a man named Faisal Shahzad tried and failed to bomb Times Square in New York City. Later, Shahzad cited US drone strikes as his motivation for the failed bombing. Proponents of drone strikes argue that they can kill high value w=enemy targets without putting soldiers into combat.
70% Yes |
30% No |
58% Yes |
18% No |
8% Yes, but only with permission from the country in question |
8% No, only to gather intelligence, not to kill suspected terrorists |
4% Yes, the U.S. needs to use all means necessary to combat terrorism |
5% No, the military has no right to do so without a Congressional declaration of war |
See how support for each position on “Drones” has changed over time for 6.7m America voters.
Loading data...
Loading chart...
See how importance of “Drones” has changed over time for 6.7m America voters.
Loading data...
Loading chart...
Unique answers from America users whose views extended beyond the provided choices.
@8JCJLWV3yrs3Y
Yes but ideally with permission from the country in question.
@5923DDK3yrs3Y
We are killing innocents. We are destroying hospitals by mistake. Sometimes I think about the panic our citizenry would fly into if other nations started using killer drones on us. We would be outraged. And yet here we are, doing this very thing to them.
@979XN3F1yr1Y
Yes, but only if there is no risk of any civilian casualties
@58NVHL83yrs3Y
Isn't this exactly why we have secret spy agencies?
@9GN5KWP6mos6MO
Absolutely to gather intelligence, but assassinations should be permitted only for confirmed, not simply suspected, terrorists
@9GK257P6mos6MO
Absolutely to gather intelligence. Assassination should be reserved for undeniably confirmed terrorists
Stay up-to-date on the most recent “Drones” news articles, updated frequently.
@ISIDEWITH20hrs20H
An Iranian military security official has revealed exclusively to The Cradle that the US contacted the Islamic Republic, asking the nation to allow Israel "a symbolic strike to save face” following Iran's retaliatory drone and missile barrage this weekend.“Iran has received messages from mediators to let the regime do a symbolic strike to save face and asked Iran not to retaliate,” the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, revealed to The Cradle.He added that Tehran “outright rejected” the proposal, delivered by mediators, and reiterated warnings that any Israeli attack on Iranian soil would be met with a decisive and immediate response.The reply was delivered directly to the Swiss envoy in Tehran by officials from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and not the foreign ministry. According to The Cradle's source, the decision for the IRGC to reply directly was meant “to send a strong warning to the US.”“Iran successfully embarrassed all of the integrated radar network and anti-missile systems of the US and the [Israeli] regime. The US even activated its parked satellites over the region to do maximum protection and failed miserably,” the Iranian military official added.The revelations come as US defense officials have told western media that they expect a “limited response” from Israel against Iran, which will reportedly focus on targets outside of Iranian territory.Nevertheless, US officials stressed that Tel Aviv had not briefed the Pentagon on a “final decision” as discussions within Israel's fractured war cabinet continued.“The US does not intend to take part in the military response,” they confirmed. However, they expect Israel to inform Washington about response plans in advance. Israel has publicly vowed to respond to the Iranian operation this weekend, which saw the launch of hundreds of drones, ballistic and cruise missiles by the Islamic Republic in retaliation to the Israeli bombing of Iran's consulate in Damascus.“This launch of so many missiles, cruise missiles and drones into Israeli territory will be met with a response,” Israeli army chief of staff, Lt Gen Herzi Halevi, said on Sunday, speaking from the Nevatim air force base in southern Israel, which was one of three military targets successfully hit by the Iranian barrage.Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani told state TV on Monday night that Tehran's response to any Israeli retaliation would come in “a matter of seconds, as Iran will not wait for another 12 days to respond.”
@J0intResolMax2 days2D
I’m not sold on the idea that firing 300+ drones and missiles was only meant to be “performative” and not inflict real damage. Seems like if that was your goal, you could accomplish it without wasting so many valuable munitions. But who knows
@ISIDEWITH2 days2D
Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant told Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin Sunday that Israel has no choice but to respond to the unprecedented missile and drone attack launched by Iran over the weekend, a U.S. official and another source briefed on the call told Axios.The Biden administration and several other Western countries allied with Israel are urging Benjamin Netanyahu's government not to rush into a retaliation against Iran that could lead to a regional war. The Israeli war cabinet convened on Monday to discuss Israel's possible response.Iran launched nearly 350 attack drones and missiles against Israel on April 13 in retaliation for an April 1 Israeli airstrike on its embassy compound in Syria that killed a top Iranian general and others.
Explore other topics that are important to America voters.
@ISIDEWITH1wk1W
In 2024 global leaders including Joe Biden, Rishi Sunak and Emmanuel Macron publicly questioned the leadership of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Their criticisms came after the Gaza War reached a stalemate in March 2024 as Israel was planning an invasion of the Gaza City of Rafah. Western…
@ISIDEWITH6mos6MO
Proponents argue that this strategy would bolster national security by minimizing the risk of potential terrorists entering the country. Enhanced screening processes, once implemented, would provide a more thorough assessment of applicants, reducing the likelihood of malicious actors gaining entry.…
@ISIDEWITH3mos3MO