The US is revising its drone policy which could pave way for attacks in more countries and more targets. The vetting by the White House of proposed targets may also be done away with, according to a report in New York Times.
The countries that could witness the US drone attacks are not named. The report mentions attacks will be carried out in other countries in Middle East, Asia and Africa apart from the five countries, Yemen, Syria, Iraq, Pakistan and Afghanistan, where the US is conducting drone strikes currently.
Another major shift in the rules is that it allows targeting foot soldiers also. Only military commanders are targeted earlier. The requirement of ‘near certainty’ of not harming civilians will remain in place.
Both the Pentagon and the CIA are conducting drone strikes which have created popular resentment in the affected countries due to its targeting of civilians.
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