Transparency could change the debate on drone warfare

The implications of drones — and remote control warfare — remain difficult to grasp. The debate’s become so politically charged and generally contentious that it can be hard to know what to think. Are they killing machines gone out of control or an effective and reasonable means of waging war against a lawless organization like al-Qaeda? The Atlantic’s Mark Bowden (author of books like Black Hawk Down) has penned a brilliant article for this month’s issue to try and shed some light on this revolutionary form of warfare. It’s a lengthy read, but Bowden addresses the issue from all sides to reveal that while the program is both ingenious and dangerous, it can be a justified and effective tool if used transparently and by the rule of law. If you want to be well-informed about one of the most significant developments in modern warfare, you’d do well to set aside some time to give it a read.