Obama Defends US Drone Strikes in Pakistan

The US has conducted drone attacks in parts of Pakistan for years but until yesterday no president ever publicly admitted it. Now President Obama confirmed for the first time that drone aircraft were targeting militants in the tribal belt.

Not So Secret: US Drones

Marco Werman talks with Micah Zenko, Fellow for Conflict Prevention at the Council on Foreign Relations, about President Obama’s public remarks yesterday on the US use of drones. He was taking part in a Google-sponsored virtual town hall, and answered a question about drones from a man in Brooklyn, NY.

Increase in the use of Drones Raise Legal Concerns

Officials in Pakistan say a US drone attack Thursday killed a top member of the militant Haqqani network. Legal scholar Mary Ellen O’Connell discusses the legal concerns raised by drone strikes.

North Dakota: Training Pilots of Unmanned Aircraft

Drone pilots may be on the ground, but they still require a high degree of aviation skills and training to fly the planes. The planes also require specialized mechanics and parts. The state of North Dakota is trying to position itself to become a leader in all-things-drones. But first order of business in North Dakota: don’t call them drones.

Islamist Cleric Killed in Yemen

President Barack Obama says the killing of American-born cleric Anwar Al-Awlaki is a “major blow” to al-Qaeda.

Questions About the Effectiveness US Drone Strikes in Pakistan

CIA initiated drone strikes into Pakistan have killed some high-value militants, but controversy swirls over their legality.

US intensifies ‘secret campaign of Yemen airstrikes’

US forces have reportedly intensified their airstrikes against militants in Yemen.

America’s Involvement in Yemen

The costs and benefits of the US becoming more deeply involved in Yemen.

US-Pakistan relations remain tense

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The United States was not going to win any popularity contests in Pakistan, even before May 2nd. Then, US Navy Seals conducted a raid in Abbottabad that killed al-Qaida chief Osama bin Laden. The operation heightened tensions between Washington and Islamabad. Marco Werman talks with The Guardian’s correspondent for Pakistan and Afghanistan, Declan Walsh.
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PBS Frontline’s “Kill/Capture”

When drone technology goes wrong

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Anchor Marco Werman speaks with David Cloud, Pentagon correspondent of the Los Angeles Times, about his investigation of a drone operation in Afghanistan last year that ended with the deaths of at least 15 civilians. Download MP3

• Transcripts of U.S. drone attack
• Anatomy of an Afghan war tragedy
• The World’s coverage about drones

Taking the CIA to court over drone attacks

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An international group has called on the US to acknowledge the number of civilians killed by drone attacks in north-west Pakistan and tribesman are taking the CIA to court over allegations that US drone strikes killed their relatives. The BBC’s Aleem Maqbool talks with Lisa Mullins about the drone attacks in Pakistan’s tribal region. Download MP3
Globalsecurity.org: Pakistan’s anger at U.S. drone strikes growing

New insights into America’s drone war

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The Wikileaks cables shed some light on the politics of the US drone war in Pakistan. Jeb Sharp gives us an update on drones and their implications in American warfare. Download MP3

Wired.com: Everybody wants drones
The drone war on The World

Why nations want drones

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Another Wikileaks revelation: other nations keep asking the US for drone aircraft. Anchor Lisa Mullins speaks with Noah Shachtman of Wired Magazine about why those nations want drones, and what the proliferation of drone technology means for the future. Download MP3

• Wired’s Dangerroom on twitter

The drone war in Pakistan

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The Taliban in Pakistan have told the BBC that attacks by US drone aircraft are having an effect on Taliban activities in the tribal areas bordering Afghanistan. Marco Werman talks with BBC’s Islamabad Bureau chief Haroon Rashid to learn more. Download MP3

• BBC: Mapping U.S. drone and Islamic militant attacks
• America’s third war
• Video: U.S. drone attacks increase

Obama’s new words, Avatar in the Amazon and a Chinese satire

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As Obama enters the second year of his presidency, he’s dropped some expressions — “war on terror”, “Af-Pak”, even “Middle East”. His administration has invented a few too: “remotedly piloted aircraft” (drones) and “overseas contingency operations” (wars). Also, a special screening of Avatar in Ecuador for indigenous groups. What did these Shuar and Achuar speakers think of Avatar’s invented language, Na’vi? Finally, a new online satirical movie is all the rage in China. It features a Chinese double-entendre phrase aimed at avoiding government censorship. The movie also includes a fantastic “I’m as mad as hell, and I’m not going to take this anymore!” rant.
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