Drones, Afghanistan, and beyond: Towards analysis and assessment in context

Abstract Afghanistan is one of the most drone-affected states, however, very few scholarly studies drone use there exist. This article uses original fieldwork data in a strategically important area Afghanistan, eastern Nangarhar province, to analyse effects context. It raises concerns about ability US attain stated counterterrorism and counterinsurgency goals. Our results show contextualised analysis necessitates appropriate enquiry into policy, doctrine, local circumstances. also reveals serious incoherence, inaccurate assumptions, insufficient appreciation circumstances dynamics not only policy but numerous effectiveness. has far-reaching operational, research implications, including regarding communities’ governance, relations, resilience insurgent terrorist encroachment. Therefore, we contribute debates how assess its effects, why needs change, what more effective forms can reveal.