Clarifying the Rules for Targeted Killing: An Analytical Framework for Policies Involving Long-Range Armed Drones

Abstract

This report highlights a need for greater clarity, specificity, and consistency in U.S. international legal policies involving the use of long-range armed drones in targeted killing. To meet this need, researchers designed a framework for policymakers to use in defining policies that would serve to protect civilians and human rights while also allowing reasonable latitude in transnational conflicts with organized terrorist groups. The framework is built on critical elements of international law related to the use of drones and incorporates alternative legal policy interpretations drawn from administration officials and those critical of U.S. policies. Such a framework could also be used in the design of end-use policies for recipients of U.S. drones as well as by the international community in defining international norms for the use of drones in targeted killing.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 08, 2016
Accession Number
AD1016592

Entities

People

  • Lynn E. Davis
  • Michael D. Greenberg
  • Michael Mcnerney

Organizations

  • RAND Corporation

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Autonomy

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Counterterrorism
  • Department Of State
  • Geographic Regions
  • Governments
  • Human Rights
  • Humanities
  • International Law
  • International Relations
  • Language
  • Law
  • Military Operations
  • National Security
  • Pakistan
  • Terrorism
  • Terrorists
  • United States
  • Unmanned Aerial Systems

Fields of Study

  • Political science

Readers

  • Government and Public Administration Law.
  • Political Violence and Terrorism Studies.
  • Theoretical Analysis.

Technology Areas

  • Autonomy