The drone dilemma: investigating the causes of controversy between the United States and Pakistan

Abstract

The thesis examines the effects of U.S. drone strikes on Pakistan’s politics, internal security, and relationship with the United States. It analyzes the perspectives of the United States and Pakistan within the realm of national interests, legal framework, and ethical aspects, as well as considers short-term benefits and long-term consequences. Whatever the tactical efficacy of drone strikes may be, they have contributed to anti-American feelings and a growing trust deficit between the United States and Pakistan, and adversely affected the actual cause of fighting terrorism. The thesis concludes that drones have not achieved significant success in the war on terror. The attacks have achieved tactical successes at a very heavy cost for Pakistan—and possibly to the detriment of the global war on terror. Drone operations have supplemented terrorist recruitment and resolve, pumped up anti-U.S. feeling in Pakistan and across the globe, and have set up dangerous precedents for countries potentially possessing other countries. The study offers a number of recommendations that are not new, but if followed can promote improvement at every tier.