Manhunters Inc.: How the Predator Became Washington’s Calling Card

By Gregoire Chamayou, TomDispatch Apr 9, 2015 The metamorphosis of the drone from eye to weapon came about almost by chance as the new millennium began. Barely two months after the outbreak of hostilities in Afghanistan, President George W. Bush declared: “It is clear the military does not have enough unmanned vehicles.” Dig deeper ( 10 Min. Read )

Former Air Force Drone Operator Remembers His ‘First Hellfire Shot’

Donald Kaufman / Truthdig Jan 22, 2015 Former Air Force pilot Brandon Bryant, who was part of the U.S. Predator drone program for more than four years, talks about remote warfare and how he came to a stopping point in 2011. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Surveillance Drone Base in Store for Africa

Alexander Reed Kelly / Truthdig Jan 30, 2013 The United States’ “secret” drone war is headed for a permanent stay in northwest Africa as officials prepare to establish a base there so they can watch al-Qaida and other Islamist groups. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Predator Nation

By Tom Engelhardt, TomDispatch May 14, 2012 The CIA’s global drone assassination campaign has turned much of the rest of the planet into what can only be considered an American free-fire zone. Dig deeper ( 9 Min. Read )

Weapons ‘R’ Us: Making Warbirds Instead of Thunderbirds

By William Astore, TomDispatch Jan 26, 2012 “Makin’ Thunderbirds” is about auto workers back in 1955 who were “young and proud” to be making Ford cars. But in the early 1980s, Bob Seger sings, “the plants have changed and you’re lucky if you work." Now America's plants make the deadliest of weapons. Dig deeper ( 8 Min. Read )

The Rise of the Machines

Staff / Truthdig Sep 26, 2011 Improvements in the technology behind the predator drone are advancing at a rate faster than a half-naked Arnold Schwarzenegger fleeing extra-terrestrial assassins in an alien jungle. Two new books bring us up to date. (more) Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Pakistani Lawyer Blocked From U.S. After Suing CIA on Drone Strikes

Staff / Truthdig Jul 3, 2011 Pakistani lawyer and human rights champion Mirza Shahzad Akbar, who has aided the U.S. government in legal counterterrorism efforts, was banned from traveling to the States to speak at Columbia Law School after suing the CIA about drone strikes that have killed civilians in his country. (more) Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

U.S. Presses Covert Airstrikes in Yemen

Staff / Truthdig Jun 9, 2011 Following Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh's emergency departure for medical treatment last week, the U.S. government has taken advantage of the resulting power vacuum to resume covert fighter jet and drone attacks that have killed civilians and suspected terrorists alike. (more) Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

U.S. Drone Stages First Strike in Libya

Staff / Truthdig Apr 23, 2011 An American Predator was used for the first time in Libya on Saturday, striking at the forces of Moammar Gadhafi two days after President Obama authorized the use of aerial drones in the bloody civil war there. (more) Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Attack of the Drones Begins in Libya

Staff / Truthdig Apr 22, 2011 On Thursday, Defense Secretary Robert Gates confirmed that President Obama has given the go-ahead for U.S. forces to send armed Predator drones to Libya. Meanwhile, Mitt Romney officially disapproves of Obama's strategy vis-a-vis the Libyan conflict. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Senior Al-Qaida Leader Killed in Drone Strike, Pakistan Says

Staff / Truthdig Sep 28, 2010 Although there's no official confirmation from the U.S., Pakistani officials said Tuesday that a senior al-Qaida operative, Sheikh Fateh, was killed Saturday by an American drone attack in north Waziristan, according to the BBC. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

U.N. Official: Drone Use May Cause ‘PlayStation Mentality’

Staff / Truthdig Jun 3, 2010 What effects might killing by remote, as American soldiers who control drones from afar are charged with doing, have on operators' mind-sets? One UN official is worried that this US-led trend may give practitioners (continued). Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )