Phi Beta Delta’s International Forum: "Drone Warfare: Legality, Morality, Utility”

On Thursday February 13, 2014 at the Dicke Forum, Phi Beta Delta’s International Forum, the Department of History, Politics, and Justice, and the Committee on the Arts and Special Events (CASE) sponsored debate over the American drone program titled “Drone Warfare: Legality, Morality, Utility.”  The evening started with an excerpt from the recent film titled "Unmanned America: Drone Wars", followed by commentary and debate, and concluded with a question and answer session dealing with the topic:. The program was moderated by Michael Loughlin, PBD Coordinator.  PBD has invited Michael W. Lewis from the ONU Claude W. Pettit College of Law and John B. Quigley, Professor Emeritus from The Moritz College of Law at The Ohio State University.

Professor Lewis teaches commercial law, international law, a law of war seminar and torts, joined the ONU faculty in August 2006. Lewis flew F-14s for the United States Navy in Operation Desert Shield, conducted strike planning for Desert Storm and was deployed to the Persian Gulf to enforce the no-fly zone over Iraq. Lewis graduated from Harvard Law School, cum laude. Lewis has published more than a dozen articles and essays on various aspects of the law of war and the conflict between the U.S. and Al Qaeda. He has testified before Congress on the legality of drone strikes in Pakistan and Yemen and on the civil liberties tradeoffs associated with trying some Al Qaeda members or terrorist suspects before military commissions. His op-eds have appeared in numerous media outlets, including the Los Angeles Times and the New York Post, and he has appeared on Public Radio International to discuss the increasing use of armed drones in warfare.

Before joining the Ohio State faculty in 1969, Professor Quigley was a research scholar at Moscow State University and a research associate in comparative law at Harvard Law School. At Ohio State, Quigley teaches International Law and Comparative Law and holds an adjunct appointment in the political science department. In 1982-83, he was a visiting professor at the University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Quigley is active in international human rights work, and his numerous publications include books and articles on human rights, the United Nations, war and peace, East European law, African law, and the Arab-Israeli conflict. In 1995, he received the Ohio State University Distinguished Scholar Award. He formerly held the title of President’s Club professor of law.

Professor Lewis took a pro drone stance on the topic, while Professor Quigley argued more of the negative aspects of drone use. Both presenters were well educated on the topic and brought up important issues among the debate.

After the presentation was over, the forum was open for questions from the audience. This also sparked interesting viewpoints and ideas about the use of drones.

This presentation was definitely thought provoking and brought up important issues on the use and legality of drones. It was also great having two experts on topic come to Ohio Northern and discuss the issue!