The Drone Papers
Verified: Documented in primary records or confirmed by reputable inquiry/reporting.
The Intercept published an eight-part series based on documents about the US military drone program. It reported that in one five-month period about 90 percent of the people killed were not the intended targets.
Confirmed
A former Air Force analyst was sentenced to 45 months in prison on 27 July 2021 for the leak, as reported by Politico.
Claimed, disputed or not established
The 90 percent figure is The Intercept's reading of one set of documents. Government counting methods for civilian harm differ.
Reported impact
Renewed debate on targeted killing and civilian harm, and a prosecution that ended in a prison sentence.
Sources (opened in a new tab)
- PBS NewsHour: whistleblower comes forward with documents on the drone program ↗https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/whistleblower-comes-forward-with-documents-that-offer-glimpse-into-u-s-militarys-drone-program
- Politico: Air Force leaker gets 45 months ↗https://www.politico.com/news/2021/07/27/air-force-leaker-drone-secrets-45-months-prison-500814
Connected
This page describes and cites public reporting. It does not host or link to leaked files, and it names no private individuals.