UCMUN 2014 Counter Terrorism Committee
Topic B Update Paper: The Use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles as a Counter Terrorism Method
Written by: Charles Zizza
The United States’ use of unmanned aerial vehicles, UAVs, or drones as they are often
referred to in the media, in its effort to counter terrorism in the Middle East has been controversial
both domestically and in the international community. The criticism stems from concerns over
human rights and the sovereign of the countries within which the attacks occur as these countries
(namely Pakistan) do not approve the strikes and are often not consulted beforehand (Baker). To
address these concerns, the United Nations General Assembly passed resolution A/RES/68/178 in
December of 2013 which officially requests that nations abide by international and human rights
laws, specifically the principles of distinction and proportionality which is related to the distinction
between militants and civilians (Baker).
As data suggest, drone strikes have declined in Pakistan since December of 2013, due in part
to the passage of resolution A/RES/68/178 as well as a period of negotiation between the Pakistani
government and the Taliban within its borders which ended unsuccessfully in June of 2014 (Baker).
As previously mentioned, however, the attacks have resumed as the Pakistani military continues to
fight Taliban forces and other militants (Aljazeera). Earlier in the month, there was a jump in drone
attacks in Pakistan, particularly in North Waziristan near the Afghan border (Aljazeera). It is
believed that this sudden increase could be due to the presence of an important target in the area
(Aljazeera).
US drone strikes within the country appear to coincide with Pakistan’s evolving relations
with militants which leads some analysts to suspect that, while Pakistan publicly condemns the
unapproved strikes conducted by the US, there is cooperation between the United States and
Pakistan (Aljazeera). This speculation is supported by the admission by former president of Pakistan
Pervez Musharraf that drone strikes by the United States during his incumbency were approved by
the state, despite being condemned publically (Khan).
UCMUN 2014 Counter Terrorism Committee
Topic B Update Paper: The Use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles as a Counter Terrorism Method
In Yemen, drone strikes continue and, in recent days, US drones have attacked what are
thought to be al Qaeda strongholds and it is believed that 10 al Qaeda fighters were killed, although
some sources claim that those killed were tribesmen (Aljazeera). Yemen is becoming increasingly
unstable as the country attempts to form a unified government and tries to avoid civil war
(Aljazeera). This instability could lead to a greater terrorist threat in Yemen and thus further use of
US drones to counter their efforts.
UCMUN 2014 Counter Terrorism Committee
Topic B Update Paper: The Use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles as a Counter Terrorism Method
Works Cited
Baker, Chris. “UCMUN 2014 Counter Terrorism Committee.” UConn Model United Nations. UConn
Model United Nations, 27 Oct 2014. Web. N.d.
“Drone strikes 'al-Qaeda stronghold' in Yemen.” Aljazeera. Aljazeera, 27 Oct. 2014. Web. 25 Oct.
2014.
Khan, Dera I. “U.S. drone strikes in Pakistan kill at least eight suspected militants.” Reuters.
Thomson Reuters, 27 Oct. 2014. Web. 7 Oct. 2014.
“US drone strike 'kills fighters' in Pakistan.” Aljazeera. Aljazeera, 27 Oct. 2014. Web. 9 Oct. 2014.