Arguing Quote by Jeffrey St. Clair
“Drone strikes, Albert Camus would argue, are not just meant to kill. They are programmed to terrorize. In this regard, whether the missile strikes its intended target or incinerates a goat-herder and his flock is incidental. In fact, the occasional killing of civilians may well be a desired outcome since collateral deaths intensify the fear. This is punishment by example, not for any particular crime or impending threat, but merely because of who you are, where you live, what you might believe. These new circuitries of death are meant to humiliate, subdue and dehumanize.”
About This Quote
The quote argues that drone strikes are used to terrorize and dehumanize, making civilian casualties a strategic tool to instill fear, not merely collateral damage.
In simple terms: Drone attacks aim to intimidate, not just kill.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the psychological warfare in modern conflict.
Themes
war
terrorism
human rights
psychology
ethics
Mood
grim
critical
analytical
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- military strategy
- policy debate
- humanitarian law
- media analysis
Key Concepts
state violence
fear tactics
collateral damage
Questions to Reflect On
- How does fear as a weapon affect long‑term stability?
- Can ethical constraints ever limit such tactics?
A Different Perspective
It ignores the possibility of precision technology reducing civilian harm.
![“There were between 46 and 52 drone strikes under the [George W.] Bush administration. And now there are over 400 - that's not counting Afghanistan. So this has been tremendously increased under the [Barack] Obama administration.” quote by Medea Benjamin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/db9/medea-benjamin-27522_administration_there-were-between-46-and-52-drone-strik_1140265.jpg)
