Fmr. CIA Dir. Michael Morell: Drones are 'Our Most Precise Weapons,’ Benefits Outweigh the Risks

Monica Sanchez | April 24, 2015
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On last night’s CBS Evening News, former Deputy Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Michael Morell argued that the risks of drone strikes do not outweigh the benefits.

It was revealed on Thursday that two hostages, one American, were killed in a U.S. military drone strike targeting dangerous al Qaeda operatives.

Being held captive in the targeted al Qaeda compound, American citizen Warren Weinstein and Italian national Giovanni Lo Porto tragically became collateral damage. Two Americans, both al Qaeda operatives, were also killed in U.S. counterterrorism operations in the same region, the White House disclosed on Thursday. 

Morell argued that, while innocent casualties are a serious concern when carrying out drone strikes, on the whole, “the collateral damage is very low,” and drones are “the most precise weapons in our arsenal.”

“After what we’ve learned today, do the risks of these strikes outweigh the benefits?” CBS’s Scott Pelley asked.

“I don’t think so,” Morell replied.

“The collateral damage is very low. These are the most precise weapons in our arsenal,” he argued.

Morell went on, “There’s no doubt in my mind that these strikes, which have been fairly aggressive since 2008, have prevented another 9/11-style attack in the United States.”

Do the risks of drone strikes outweigh the benefits or vice versa? Give us your opinion in the comments section below.

Watch here for Morell's remarks on Thursday's CBS Evening News segment: 

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