Tasks: Drone

Work with a partner.

1. In the documentary Drone, we meet the two ex-drone pilots Brandon Bryant and Michael Haas. How do they describe their experiences as drone operators? And how have their jobs affected their lives after they left the U.S. Air Force?

2. Where is Waziristan and why is the United States using drones in this area?

3. Officially, it has been the CIA who has been responsible for the attacks. However, in the film, it is revealed that it has always been the U.S. Air Force that has carried out the attacks. According to Brandon Bryant, 'The CIA might be the customer, but the Air Force has always flown it'. Why is this problematic?

4. What is 'militainment'?

5. In the film, we see how the military actively uses LAN parties to create interest among young gamers for military warfare. Why does the army want to enlist gamers? Do you see any ethical problems with this practice?

Work in groups.

1. Is it likely that the United States will accomplish what they want by using drones? Are drone attacks likely to inspire anti-American sentiment in the countries where drones are used?

2. Is it OK that war is a business opportunity?

3. What is your reaction to President Obama statement: 'These attacks have saved lives'?

1. The first drone attacks were carried out in October 2001 and were a direct consequence of the events that took place on 11 September the same year. Do some research and find out more about the events of 9/11.

   • Who were the perpetrators that carried out the 9/11 attacks?
   • What motivated the 9/11 attacks?
   • What were the results of the events that took place that day? Consider long-term and short-term consequences.

1. Even during war, certain rules apply. Breaking the rules of war (also called international humanitarian law) is defined as a war crime.
   Do some research and find out what these rules are.
   • What is the Geneva Convention?
   • What are you allowed to do during military conflicts and what is considered a war crime?
   • Would you define the drone attacks described in the film as breach of these laws?

Learn more about the rules of war through the following game. According to the Geneva Convention, what are you not allowed to do during a war? And what rights are protected by the Geneva Convention?

Link to Nobel Prize: Prisoners of War

There are a number of terrorist groups that operate in different parts of the world today. They can often be difficult to distinguish, and their objectives vary from country to country.

Choose one of the groups that you find listed. Make a presentation about this group. Include information about the following:

• Where does the group operate?

• How large is the group?

• What is their objective?

• How is the civilian population affected by the group's actions?

• Is their status as a terrorist group generally accepted by all/most Western countries?

• Does the group have a social and/or political function in their country, in addition to their military work?

1. Write an expository text where you discuss the short- and long-term consequences of the 9/11 terrorist attack that took place in 2001.

2. Do violent video games lead to violence? Write an argumentative text where you discuss this question. Base your answer on relevant research.

3. Use the following two quotes from the film and write a text where you discuss the ethical problems of drone attacks.