Are United States of America's Drone Targeted Killings within the Confines of the Law?

Abstract

Part One of this paper introduces this research by setting the stage through a background on the problem of terrorism and the recent response of the U.S with drone targeted killings. It also highlights key questions on the legality of drone targeted killings and how other scholars have responded to them. Further, it gives definitions on key terms; i.e. drones and what is meant by targeted killings. In Part Two the focus is on the determination of applicable law for ascertaining the legality of drone targeted killings. The prime argument in Part Two is that no one framework should apply to the exclusion of the other. Part Three focuses on whether drones are consistent with international human rights norms. The author argues that drone targeted killings are inconsistent with the jus cogent right to life. Part Four is an analysis of whether the use of drones is consistent with the principles of international humanitarian law. The author concludes that most of the U.S drone targeted killings are inconsistent with principles of IHL. This Part also contains the final conclusions and recommendations.