ne Attacks under Obama: the Americans’ and the World's Attitude

Abstract

This article aims to study about American people’s and the world’s attitude on unmanned aerial vehicle or drone attacks during the Barack Obama administration, 2009-2017. Drone attacks during this period increased tremendously as drones were used as a target killer according to the US national security strategy against terrorism and became an element of American foreign policy during this government. The expansion of drone operations made people both excited and anxious at the same time. Therefore, independent or non-partisan organizations began to collect data in the areas with US air operations. As collateral damage from drone attacks increased and worried many countries and certain international organizations apart from American people themselves, the use of drone strikes, therefore, has been frequently discussed. There have been several surveys of public opinion as well especially among American people since their opinion would affect the direction of drone strike policy of the government.

It is found that during Obama’s presidency drone strikes were used more than during the preceding government. However, many American people still supported the government’s decision to launch drone strikes against terrorists overseas after considering various risks that might occur. However, the number of supporters fluctuated due to different times of survey while the number of those who disapproved drone strikes increased consistently. With regard to other nations’ opinion about the use of drone strikes, many opposed. Thus, the US policy of drone usage was scrutinized whether it complied with humanitarian principle and international laws. Despite the fact that public opinion surveys on this matter were conducted and criticism increased continuously, it was still not enough to deter the Obama administration from using drone strikes at aimed targets until his presidency ended.