The discussion on the potential acquisition of German combat drones dominates the media. Additionally, the debate is heated up by the US operations in Pakistan, Yemen and Somalia, which are highly problematic in terms of international law.
Drones are currently spreading at rapid speed. More than eighty states already possess military drones, most of which are still unarmed and serve for reconnaissance. This may change fast.
Armed drones protect soldiers, are precise and inexpensive – according to their advocates. Critics object that drones lower the inhibition threshold to kill, are problematic according to international law and morally questionable and that because of their increasing autonomy they provide a first step towards dehumanized killing.
Many questions remain unanswered in spite of intense debates: How is the increased utilization of combat drones going to affect international security policy? What legal basis is there for their employment? Who bears the moral responsibility, if computers decide autonomously on life and death? And how should the “peace force Europe” and Germany handle automated weapon systems?
Discussants:
Christian Schmidt
Parliamentary undersecretary of the Federal Minister of Defence
Dr. Niklas Schörnig
Senior Research Fellow, focus on modern warfare
Peace Research Institute Frankfurt
Philipp Stroh
Expert on international humanitarian law, Frankfurt a.M.
Monday, 1st July 2013 | 7 p.m.
Haus am Dom
Domplatz 3, underground station Dom/Römer
Frankfurt a.M.
Admission is free.
A joint event by Frankfurter Rundschau, Peace Research Institute Frankfurt and Haus am Dom.