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

Download
Author
Saadat, Muhammad K.
Date
2014-12Advisor
Halladay, Carolyn
Second Reader
Khan, Feroz H.
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
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.
Rights
Copyright is reserved by the copyright owner.Collections
Related items
Showing items related by title, author, creator and subject.
-
The new fight on the periphery: Pakistan's Military relationship with the United States
Middleton, Samuel L. (Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School, 2004-06);This thesis explains the military relationship between the United States and Pakistan in the context of their divergent national security interests. During the Cold War, U.S. concerns focused on the global contest between ... -
Pakistan's law enforcement agencies harnessing their potential to combat terrorism
Khan, Dilawar. (Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School, 2008-12);In the aftermath of 9/11, the United States of America embarked upon a massive global hunt for terrorists and launched "Operation Enduring Freedom" in Afghanistan. Owing to its geographical proximity to Afghanistan, ... -
Pakistan's Kashmir policy and strategy since 1947
Taylor, Matthew P. (Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School, 2004-03);This thesis analyzes Pakistan's Kashmir policy and strategy since 1947. Pakistan has sought to obtain the accession of Kashmir for over fifty years. This policy has its origins in Pakistan's struggle for a separate state ...