A holistic strategy? Examining how armed drone strikes interact with other elements of national power
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Authors
Guerra, Felix
Subjects
armed drones
instruments of national power
strategy
Obama Administration
al-Qaeda
counterterrorism
Yemen
Somalia
Department of Defense
Department of State
Broadcasting Board of Governors
Center for Strategic Counterterrorism Communication
instruments of national power
strategy
Obama Administration
al-Qaeda
counterterrorism
Yemen
Somalia
Department of Defense
Department of State
Broadcasting Board of Governors
Center for Strategic Counterterrorism Communication
Advisors
Russell, James
Date of Issue
2017-06
Date
Jun-17
Publisher
Monterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate School
Language
Abstract
Armed drones, technically known as MQ-1B Predators and MQ-9 Reapers, have become a preferred tool in U.S. counterterrorism operations. The use of armed drones in counterterrorism strategy, however, has spurred worldwide debate over the morality, legality, accountability, and effectiveness of the campaigns. Despite the concerns and debates about the armed drone programs, the armed drone campaigns will likely not only continue but also expand in the future. The purpose of this thesis is to explain how the application of armed drone strikes in fragile states has interacted with other elements of national power to achieve the objectives defined in the United States' counterterrorism strategy. The research examines what the United States conducted in fragile states in terms of diplomatic, information, military-other than drone strikes-and economic instruments of national power to achieve the objectives outlined in the United States' national strategies. Using Yemen and Somalia as case studies, this thesis shows that armed drones do interact positively with other elements of national power, but the employment of all instruments falls short of meeting the U.S. objectives for the countries. Incidentally, the failures do not result from the use of armed drones but from a misuse in some of the other instruments of national power.
Type
Thesis
Description
Series/Report No
Department
National Security Affairs (NSA)
Organization
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NPS Report Number
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Distribution Statement
Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
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This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.