Yemen: An undertold story of American Drone Strikes...

[jj22]

An interesting read. Especially since Trump has pretty much gotten away with the Yemen war without question. Even after the loss of American military men and women.

Does anyone know what our role is here?

If true, this was a good story I read about how we use drones to strike Al Queda.

https://www.apnews.com/e323a85fb9f34d31bd257860f3585072?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=AP&utm_campaign=SocialFlow&utm_campaign=SocialFlow&utm_medium=AP&utm_source=Twitter&utm_campaign=SocialFlow&utm_medium=AP&utm_source=Twitter&utm_campaign=SocialFlow&utm_medium=AP&utm_source=Twitter

[Benton]

(11-15-2018, 01:12 PM)jj22 Wrote: An interesting read. Especially since Trump has pretty much gotten away with the Yemen war without question. Even after the loss of American military men and women.

Does anyone know what are role is here?

If true, this was a good story I read about how we use drones to strike Al Queda.

https://www.apnews.com/e323a85fb9f34d31bd257860f3585072?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=AP&utm_campaign=SocialFlow&utm_campaign=SocialFlow&utm_medium=AP&utm_source=Twitter&utm_campaign=SocialFlow&utm_medium=AP&utm_source=Twitter&utm_campaign=SocialFlow&utm_medium=AP&utm_source=Twitter

None of what's going on over there makes a lot of sense. But we keep going with the same approach, which is basically blowing up mud huts and hoping to kill a terrorist. I wonder how many terrorists we create by blowing up homes and businesses, making it easier for terrorist groups to recruit people who have nothing left.

[Dill]

(11-15-2018, 01:12 PM)jj22 Wrote: An interesting read. Especially since Trump has pretty much gotten away with the Yemen war without question. Even after the loss of American military men and women.

Does anyone know what are role is here?

If true, this was a good story I read about how we use drones to strike Al Queda.

https://www.apnews.com/e323a85fb9f34d31bd257860f3585072?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=AP&utm_campaign=SocialFlow&utm_campaign=SocialFlow&utm_medium=AP&utm_source=Twitter&utm_campaign=SocialFlow&utm_medium=AP&utm_source=Twitter&utm_campaign=SocialFlow&utm_medium=AP&utm_source=Twitter

Obama is the one who primarily expanded that war, though not without question.

Our goals have changed since 2010. It was originally to keep "President" Saleh in power, while eradicating AQiY.

The consequence of that was a civil war which has left a broken state in which Saudi Arabia has filled in the vacuum of power.  Yemen has not the power to defend itself, so Saudis (as our uncontrollable proxy) can send attack jets after Houthi hill tribes (which are Iran-backed Shia).   

Not to worry though--

The Trump administration has dramatically ramped up drone strikes, carrying out more in two years than the Obama administration did over its entire eight years — 176, compared to 154. More than 300 people — militants and civilians — were killed in 2017 and 2018 by one estimate.

Trump is showing that we are STRONG and not weak.   Terrorists will see that and give up.  The war and civil disorder which followed the initial year of drone strikes will stop now.  The guy whose family was wiped out by a drone strike will no longer be ready for a suicide mission against the U.S.

[jj22]

**our**

Sorry guys.

I think it's interesting how we use drones now just for the simple fact that it takes away any "human" accountability. When a drone kills civilians, it doesn't weigh on anyone's conscience. Like it would if our Military men and women kept killing civilians.

[*michaelsean*]

(11-15-2018, 06:24 PM)jj22 Wrote: **our**

Sorry guys.

I think it's interesting how we use drones now just for the simple fact that it takes away any "human" accountability. When a drone kills civilians, it doesn't weigh on anyone's conscience. Like it would if our Military men and women kept killing civilians.

Someone is still flying it and firing the weapons. A pilot of a plane witnessed no more than a drone pilot

[Dill]

(11-15-2018, 06:24 PM)jj22 Wrote: **our**

Sorry guys.

I think it's interesting how we use drones now just for the simple fact that it takes away any "human" accountability. When a drone kills civilians, it doesn't weigh on anyone's conscience. Like it would if our Military men and women kept killing civilians.

Not quite true. The guy sitting in a conmac in Nevada registers the victims of his double-tap probably better than a jet pilot, who can't hang around and watch the bodies carried away.

There has been a debate in the military community about the PTSD experienced by drone jockeys operating those game-style joysticks.  Apparently it IS a problem, but boots on the ground think the gamesters are just *****. Understandable, since the drone operator is never in danger, never watches his buddies die, and avoids the stress, separation from family, and general nastiness of life in the field.

Drone strikes do apparently affect some of the drone jockeys--as in "weigh on their conscience." The real distance is between them and those giving the orders.

[jj22]

(11-17-2018, 12:28 AM)Dill Wrote: Not quite true. The guy sitting in a conmac in Nevada registers the victims of his double-tap probably better than a jet pilot, who can't hang around and watch the bodies carried away.

There has been a debate in the military community about the PTSD experienced by drone jockeys operating those game-style joysticks.  Apparently it IS a problem, but boots on the ground think the gamesters are just *****. Understandable, since the drone operator is never in danger, never watches his buddies die, and avoids the stress, separation from family, and general nastiness of life in the field.

Drone strikes do apparently affect some of the drone jockeys--as in "weigh on their conscience." The real distance is between them and those giving the orders.

Interesting. Never thought about it like that.