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 6.6m America voters.
Loading data...
Loading chart...
See how importance of “Drones” has changed over time for 6.6m America voters.
Loading data...
Loading chart...
Unique answers from America users whose views extended beyond the provided choices.
@8JCJLWV4yrs4Y
Yes but ideally with permission from the country in question.
@5923DDK4yrs4Y
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.
@979XN3F2yrs2Y
Yes, but only if there is no risk of any civilian casualties
@58NVHL84yrs4Y
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.
Explore other topics that are important to America voters.