Detailed but unbalanced

This is not a particularly easy read, with a multiplicity of authors and a style that that often lacks narrative clarity. Nevertheless, it's an unusually revealing insight into the way that the later-stage war on terror was conducted. Whilst giving a huge amount of very useful detail about the uses and abuses of drone warfare, the book's fundamental flaw is that it criticises without recommendation. There's no real attempt to reconcile the very valid critique offered with a counter factual narrative describing an alternative political solution. Despite this shortcoming, veering towards condemnation over constructive criticism nevertheless give readers a range of useful and interesting insights. Expect to look into the murky abuses of state power, the passive cruelty of the mechanistic bureaucracy of warfare, and the degree to which even idealistic liberals become corrupted into quasi-autocrats by the powers of high office.

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Drone nightmare

Clear & succint account of use of drone warfare by the USA to spy on and attack supposed terrorists worldwide, especially in the middle east. Based on leaked documents & interviews with various experts, the authors build up a chilling picture of how drone operators see their work and how the whole drone programme is more of an industry than an effective way of accomplishing the declared goals of the USA. The point is well made that drone warfare serves mainly as an instigator of militancy in the communities being attacked, resulting in ever more recruits to anti American organisations like Al Quaeda. The afterword by Greenwald indites Obama as having completely betrayed the stance he took prior to his election as president.

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2 people found this helpful