David Kilcullen and Andrew Exum: While we agree with Secretary of Defense Robert Gates that “fresh eyes were needed” to review our military strategy in the region, we feel that expanding or even just continuing the drone war is a mistake. In fact, it would be in our best interests, and those of the Pakistani people, to declare a moratorium on drone strikes into Pakistan.
Stewart Brand: In some cultures you're supposed to be responsible out to the seventh generation -- that's about 200 years. But it goes right against self-interest.
Kilcullen: People don’t get pushed into rebellion by their ideology. They get pulled in by their social networks.
Kilcullen and Exum: The use of drones displays every characteristic of a tactic — or, more accurately, a piece of technology — substituting for a strategy.
George W. Bush: We're not sure who the "they" are but we know they're there. "You can't talk sense to them," Bush said, referring to terrorists. "Nooooo!" the audience roared.
Death From Above, Outrage Down Below |