Pakistan Taliban Leader Dead in U.S. Drone Strike

Alexander Reed Kelly / Truthdig Jan 4, 2013 The first disclosed unmanned drone strike of 2013 killed top Taliban leader Mullah Nazir as he reportedly met with senior leaders of his group in South Waziristan early Thursday morning, security officials say. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Aviation Industry to FAA: Forget About Privacy

Alexander Reed Kelly / Truthdig Dec 22, 2012 Last month, aviation industry executives asked the FAA to disregard concerns about civilian privacy when it comes to the potential future use of drones in domestic airspace. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

U.S. Drone Kills 5 as Pakistan Hesitates Against Taliban

Alexander Reed Kelly / Truthdig Aug 18, 2012 Five alleged Pakistani militants connected to the Taliban warlord Hafiz Gul Bahadur were killed in a drone strike Saturday as the United States pressured Pakistan to attack Taliban forces that may become the country's crucial allies once foreign forces leave. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Medals for Drone Pilots?

Alexander Reed Kelly / Truthdig Jul 11, 2012 The Pentagon is considering awarding distinctions to personnel in air-conditioned rooms who use remote control airplanes to kill people 7,500 miles away. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Armed Drones: Coming to an Airspace Near You

Staff / Truthdig May 25, 2012 A Texas police department is just one of many local agencies across the country that has been granted permission by the Federal Aviation Administration to use unmanned aerial drones in the course of its operations, and its chief deputy wants to arm its fleet with rubber bullets and tear gas. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Killing Fellow Americans? Sure, Say Most of Us

Staff / Truthdig Feb 9, 2012 A Washington Post poll found that 83 percent of Americans approved of the U.S. government’s use of flying robots to kill terror suspects overseas, while 65 percent found no fault even if those targeted were American citizens. Liberals and Democrats consented to the killings as well, with favorable showings of 55 percent and 58 percent, respectively. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Activists Fight Back With ‘Occucopter’ Drone

Staff / Truthdig Dec 22, 2011 The worldwide uprisings of 2011 have seen ordinary people use surveillance and communication technology to protect themselves against oppressive governments. Now, New York City’s Occupiers are taking such tactics to the skies with the "occucopter," a lightweight, camera-mounted helicopter that can be controlled with an iPhone. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

The Drone That Fell From the Sky

Nick Turse / Truthdig Dec 21, 2011 The skies seem full of falling drones these days. The most publicized of them made headlines when Iran announced that its military had taken possession of an advanced American remotely piloted spy aircraft, thought to be an RQ-170 Sentinel. 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 )

Insurgents Hack Predator Drones With Cheap Software

Staff / Truthdig Dec 18, 2009 The $4.5 million Predator unmanned aerial vehicle and its at least $10 million successor are considered the future of America's Air Force and a big part of the president's escalation in Afghanistan. Insurgents in Iraq (and probably Afghanistan) were able to track the planes and intercept video feeds using $26 software available on the Internet. (continued) Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )