What You Didn’t Read about Drones in Iraq
The New York Times has many talking today about the State Department’s controversial plans to operate unarmed surveillance drones in Iraq, and for good reason.
News of the drone program’s existence has sparked strong backlash among some Iraqi officials, who are outraged they weren’t informed of it by American officials. “Our sky is our sky, not the U.S.A.’s sky,” was the reaction of Acting Interior Minister Adnan al-Asadi.
Those picking up the story are sharp to hone in on how this is yet another example of State taking on a role that used to be played by the military, and how it’s reportedly considering similar programs in “high-threat” countries like Indonesia, Pakistan and Afghanistan.
But one of the most arresting developments of this story isn’t generating the attention nor analysis it warrants: The State Department wants to hire private contractors to operate these drones.
I talked to CFR’s Micah Zenko earlier today, who dug into the unique challenges of outsourcing to private contractors — and the arguably terrifying implications.
I hope you’ll read it.
