Alexander Reed Kelly writes
The Global Drone Trade, by the Numbers:
More drones are being transferred between countries than ever before, says the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.
Between 2010 and 2014, the organization’s data shows, 439 drones passed through international hands, compared with 322 in the previous five years. Israel delivered 165 units. The U.S. came in second with 132, followed by Italy at 37. Drones with the capacity to make armed strikes made up just 2.5 percent of overall trade, at 11 out of 439 units shipped during the period.
Since 1985, Israel has exported the majority of drones (60.7 percent), while China has exported the smallest portion (0.9 percent).
The Guardian reports:
Armed drones were exported for the first time in 2007 when the UK received a delivery of two MQ-9 Reaper drones from the US, which were initially used in the Afghanistan conflict.
… prompted US to open up its own trade in armed drones to friendly and allied countries - previously it was just exporting to the UK.
In 2013, the US sent the huge (15-tonne) 1 Global Hawk to Germany. It is the largest drone ever exported, as well as the most expensive ($130m) and the one with the biggest range of travel (14,000km). Orders have also been placed by Nato, Australia, Japan and South Korea.
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Blast from the Past. At Daily Kos on this date in 2010—Don't Ask, Don't Tell? Don't Care:
A survey commissioned by Vet Voice Foundation has found that an overwhelming majority of veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars would be accepting of gays and lesbians serving openly in the armed forces. The phone survey of 510 veterans was conducted Feb. 8-23 by Lake Research Partners and American Viewpoint, Inc. Although there were differences between younger and older veterans of the two wars, these were not large. Findings:
• 73% of all surveyed veterans said such open service would be acceptable, including 42% who said it would be acceptable without reservations and 31% who would find it acceptable even though they would not personally like it. Only 25% said they would find it unacceptable.
• 77% of veterans under age 35 said it would be personally acceptable, with 47% saying they would like to see the current "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy change, and 30% saying it would be acceptable but they do not like the idea.
• 70% veterans over age 35 would find it acceptable; only 26% would find it unacceptable.
• Of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans under age 35, 41% said they favor allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly and 35% oppose. Veterans over age 35 leaned toward opposing, with 31% in favor and 36% against.
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On
today's Kagro in the Morning show,
Greg Dworkin rounds up Israeli elections analysis, and Obamacare news on the newly covered, Medicaid expansion, and its role in this year's budget wars. OR automatic voter registration bill signed. Latest poll on Clinton. Splashy eGhazi headline debunked with
Armando's help. The weird Starbucks campaign and the joking Tweet about it that apparently sailed over your host's head. A weird story that could be construed as consumer-driven banking deregulation, if you squint at it just right. And Aaron Schock is in still more trouble.
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