Rapid responses are electronic comments to the editor. They enable our users
to debate issues raised in articles published on bmj.com. A rapid response
is first posted online. If you need the URL (web address) of an individual
response, simply click on the response headline and copy the URL from the
browser window. A proportion of responses will, after editing, be published
online and in the print journal as letters, which are indexed in PubMed.
Rapid responses are not indexed in PubMed and they are not journal articles.
The BMJ reserves the right to remove responses which are being
wilfully misrepresented as published articles or when it is brought to our
attention that a response spreads misinformation.
From March 2022, the word limit for rapid responses will be 600 words not
including references and author details. We will no longer post responses
that exceed this limit.
The word limit for letters selected from posted responses remains 300 words.
Military objectives, terrorist camps, ammunition safe houses, bomb factories and enemy communication facilities must and will be destroyed anyway.
Commanders can either choose to send foot soldiers to do the job, risking their lives, or use available drones.
New technologies allow quick, precise, cheap and devastating applications in the battlefield.
Accurate drone sensors detect underground bunkers, hidden snipers, explosives, terrorist cell phones, hostages, day or night, regardless of weather conditions, and transmit all information in real time to headquarters. [1][2]
I do not understand why some believe that using such a useful and sophisticated weapon, that casts aside our casualties, is a war crime.
Apache helicopters are engaged in very similar missions. Nobody has ever declared Apache helicopter pilots to be war criminals!
Re: Use of drones is a war crime and must be stopped, says charity
Dear Editors,
Military objectives, terrorist camps, ammunition safe houses, bomb factories and enemy communication facilities must and will be destroyed anyway.
Commanders can either choose to send foot soldiers to do the job, risking their lives, or use available drones.
New technologies allow quick, precise, cheap and devastating applications in the battlefield.
Accurate drone sensors detect underground bunkers, hidden snipers, explosives, terrorist cell phones, hostages, day or night, regardless of weather conditions, and transmit all information in real time to headquarters. [1][2]
I do not understand why some believe that using such a useful and sophisticated weapon, that casts aside our casualties, is a war crime.
Apache helicopters are engaged in very similar missions. Nobody has ever declared Apache helicopter pilots to be war criminals!
References
[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drone_aircraft
[2] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Predator_drone
Competing interests: No competing interests