A Cry Falling on Deaf Ears

A former attorney for the U.S. State Department, who is in the know of these things, has publicly criticized the way in which the drone program has been handled, especially its secrecy. Although he hasn't gone as far as to condemn the program outright, he has pointed out the lack of clear standards for its application. Significantly, he warns that the American government should "reassure [allies] that we are not applying a standard that we would consider unlawful if espoused to justify the use of drones by, say, China, North Korea or Iran." He is not alone in voicing these concerns about the drone program. Recently, a former lawyer for the Pentagon did the same.

Two voices crying in the wilderness, I'm afraid.

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