Should the US compensate civilian casualties of drones?

[New Emphillon]

Yes, but better still that the US should end its drone bombing campaign entirely.

I agree, but that will never happen. I do believe the US should pay compensation for the civilians injured/killed by drone strikes, but that, too, will never happen.

[The Emerald Legion]

There was precedent to freeing slaves.

Not in the US.

Yep. Private individuals would free slaves.

http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/aaohtml/aopart2.html

[Aldheim]

And it is killing children in those countries. Is there really a good argument for not compensating for the deaths of those children?

Yes. Precedent. When, previously, has the US paid reparations to civilians caught in the crossfire?

Well, we've spent money trying to restore the jungle in Vietnam, I don't think helping civilians hurt by the conflict is that much of a step up from that.

[Abritus]

"Im sorry we killed your daughter with our drones here have a twinkie' The casualties of drone strikes are casualties of war and their losses cannot be compensated by material gains.

[New Emphillon]

"Im sorry we killed your daughter with our drones here have a twinkie' The casualties of drone strikes are casualties of war and their losses cannot be compensated by material gains.

True. I mean, if there is a group of Taliban or al-Qaida fighters attacking a village and there are US soldiers not even a quarter mile (.4 kilometers) from the village, and there is a Predator drone over the village that has the ability to launch a missile onto the threat, which would you choose to deal with the threat? Trick question. The only answer is drone strike, no matter who may get injured or killed in the process.

[God Kefka]

US would look weak if it compensated civilian casualties of drones.

Like my grandfather used to say: ''If you find yourself in a situation where you HAVE to be a prick to get something done... don't apologize for it.''

[The United Soviet Socialist Republic]

US would look weak if it compensated civilian casualties of drones.

Like my grandfather used to say: ''If you find yourself in a situation where you HAVE to be a prick to get something done... don't apologize for it.''

Who the fuck cares about the US "looking weak"?

[Imperializt Russia]

US would look weak if it compensated civilian casualties of drones.

Like my grandfather used to say: ''If you find yourself in a situation where you HAVE to be a prick to get something done... don't apologize for it.''

Who the fuck cares about the US "looking weak"?

The US, Russia, China, Brazil, Korea, Israel, the UK, Europe, Afghanistan, Pakistan...
Lots and lots of countries.

[L Ron Cupboard]

US would look weak if it compensated civilian casualties of drones.

Like my grandfather used to say: ''If you find yourself in a situation where you HAVE to be a prick to get something done... don't apologize for it.''

Every single child casualty of a drone strike is a propaganda coup that helps al Qaida recruit, that is not exactly getting anything useful done. Did your grandfather ever say "if you find yourself in a hole, stop digging"?

[Imperializt Russia]

Yes, but better still that the US should end its drone bombing campaign entirely.

It has merits. Killing it completely can only be bad.

Limiting its scope, making drone operators (and US military personnel in general) accountable to their actions and establishing a transparent, rule of engagement and conduct practice for offensive drone operations would be a far better solution.

[The United Soviet Socialist Republic]

Who the fuck cares about the US "looking weak"?

The US, Russia, China, Brazil, Korea, Israel, the UK, Europe, Afghanistan, Pakistan...
Lots and lots of countries.

Nearly every nation in the world hates the US already. Compensating the people who's lives they have ruined will only give them a slightly better image.

[Minarchist States]

The US is carrying drone strikes in a number of countries, the Yemen, Pakistan, etc. and in a number of cases there have been civilian casualties either through mistaken targeting or as collateral damage when attacking the correct target. I just watched a report on the BBC which suggested that the US is pretty much refusing to even acknowledge that it has carried out the attacks , let alone paying compensation to the families of innocent casualties.

I think the US is making a massive mistake in doing so, if this is the case. The cost of an acceptable level of compensation in a country like the Yemen would represent a minimal cost to the US. It would give the US a much better image in those countries (instead of seeming as just as much a threat to the locals as al Qaida). By not doing so they are playing into the hands of al Qaida recruiters.

What thinks NSG?

NO,

the US should stop drone strikes completely.

Obama is Nixon.

[Imperializt Russia]

The US is carrying drone strikes in a number of countries, the Yemen, Pakistan, etc. and in a number of cases there have been civilian casualties either through mistaken targeting or as collateral damage when attacking the correct target. I just watched a report on the BBC which suggested that the US is pretty much refusing to even acknowledge that it has carried out the attacks , let alone paying compensation to the families of innocent casualties.

I think the US is making a massive mistake in doing so, if this is the case. The cost of an acceptable level of compensation in a country like the Yemen would represent a minimal cost to the US. It would give the US a much better image in those countries (instead of seeming as just as much a threat to the locals as al Qaida). By not doing so they are playing into the hands of al Qaida recruiters.

What thinks NSG?

NO,

the US should stop drone strikes completely.

Obama is Nixon.

It has merits. Killing it completely can only be bad.

Limiting its scope, making drone operators (and US military personnel in general) accountable to their actions and establishing a transparent, rule of engagement and conduct practice for offensive drone operations would be a far better solution.

[Minarchist States]

It has merits. Killing it completely can only be bad.

Limiting its scope, making drone operators (and US military personnel in general) accountable to their actions and establishing a transparent, rule of engagement and conduct practice for offensive drone operations would be a far better solution.

I'd prefer if it is stopped completely, but if that's impossible than this would be the next best thing.

[The Victorian Empire]

When the war's over.

Yeah, we still have more people to kill, and we need money to do that. We'll try not to miss, but our aim isn't perfect... we're not British after all.

[Imperializt Russia]

When the war's over.

Yeah, we still have more people to kill, and we need money to do that. We'll try not to miss, but our aim isn't perfect... we're not British after all.

I am.

[God Kefka]

US would look weak if it compensated civilian casualties of drones.

Like my grandfather used to say: ''If you find yourself in a situation where you HAVE to be a prick to get something done... don't apologize for it.''

Every single child casualty of a drone strike is a propaganda coup that helps al Qaida recruit, that is not exactly getting anything useful done. Did your grandfather ever say "if you find yourself in a hole, stop digging"?

That's nonsense sir...

The USA mostly bombs only people who they suspect are HELPING terrorists...

[Placken]

Yeah, we still have more people to kill, and we need money to do that. We'll try not to miss, but our aim isn't perfect... we're not British after all.

I am.

I think that was his point

Every single child casualty of a drone strike is a propaganda coup that helps al Qaida recruit, that is not exactly getting anything useful done. Did your grandfather ever say "if you find yourself in a hole, stop digging"?

That's nonsense sir...

The USA mostly bombs only people who they suspect are HELPING terrorists...

Actually, I hope they are only targeting terrorists, but the terrorists often live near their families, and sometimes there are major mistakes.

Here is a question for Mr. Cupboard; a lot of things the US does helps al Qaida recruit. For example; Textile quotas, the consequences of free speech laws, and the commitment to promoting liberal ideas abroad. Of course the main thing is probably Israel. So my question is, to what extent, should we use al Qaida recruitment strategies to shape our policies?

[Lordieth]

Aren't there laws covering liability against causalities of war? Seems like a slippery slope to wars being fought half on the battlefield, and half by aggressive litigation designed to bankrupt the other country.

Not that the US shouldn't take some responsibility for the death of civilians. Because it should. Just not sure opening the floodgates to compensation is necessarily the best way. It would have to be very well regulated.

[Placken]

Aren't there laws covering liability against causalities of war? Seems like a slippery slope to wars being fought half on the battlefield, and half by aggressive litigation designed to bankrupt the other country.

Not that the US shouldn't take some responsibility for the death of civilians. Because it should. Just not sure opening the floodgates to compensation is necessarily the best way. It would have to be very well regulated.

Governments have immunity. Sometimes reparations are paid, but these are negotiated in treaties. Some sort of truth and reconciliation program would probably be best, but there are to many secrets regarding the program and Pakistan's involvement. Unless you are talking about in Yemen. Then are just a lot of steps that need to be taken to end that conflict before such things are discussed.

[4years]

Of course. A state should always compensate for civilian causalities, especially when the civilians are either from or in a country the state is NOT in war with, like with the drone attacks.

This.

[The Emerald Legion]

The US, Russia, China, Brazil, Korea, Israel, the UK, Europe, Afghanistan, Pakistan...
Lots and lots of countries.

Nearly every nation in the world hates the US already. Compensating the people who's lives they have ruined will only give them a slightly better image.

Meh, I prefer our current Image. If only other people weren't busy trying to screw it up.

[Herskerstad]

I am military hawk and i would say yes, though preferably directly to the next of kin rather than the governments as is generally done.

Though when that is said, you get plenty of casualties from other military ops as well. You want to win the hearts and minds of the populace? Better define the enemy, aggressively fight it's social organization and be ready to pony up when the inevitable damage gets done. Financially back the investment and ensure a rule of law with eyes towards mutual prosperity.

Or you can elect Bush/Obama and see how that goes.

[Seleucas]

Yes, but better still that the US should end its drone bombing campaign entirely.

It has merits. Killing it completely can only be bad.

Limiting its scope, making drone operators (and US military personnel in general) accountable to their actions and establishing a transparent, rule of engagement and conduct practice for offensive drone operations would be a far better solution.

The US would be better off not stepping on anyone's toes to begin with, than pouring fuel on the fire by sustaining its bellicose and haughty attitude.

[Imperializt Russia]

It has merits. Killing it completely can only be bad.

Limiting its scope, making drone operators (and US military personnel in general) accountable to their actions and establishing a transparent, rule of engagement and conduct practice for offensive drone operations would be a far better solution.

The US would be better off not stepping on anyone's toes to begin with, than pouring fuel on the fire by sustaining its bellicose and haughty attitude.

Ground operations in Afghanistan have forced the Taliban, al-Qaeda and affiliate command structures into Pakistan and Yemen, where they coalesce with existing support and organisational infrastructure.

You won't kill them without going outside of Afghanistan.