Fact check: Did Obama's use of drone strikes increase or decrease during his presidency?

1. Summary of the results

The analyses provided suggest that Obama's use of drone strikes increased during his presidency ^[1]. According to the sources, there were ten times more air strikes in the covert war on terror during President Barack Obama’s presidency than under his predecessor, George W. Bush ^[1], with a total of 563 strikes, largely by drones, targeted Pakistan, Somalia, and Yemen during Obama's two terms, compared to 57 strikes under Bush ^[1]. Additionally, 1,878 drone strikes were carried out during Mr Obama's eight years in office ^[2]. However, it is essential to note that the sources do not provide a direct comparison of the increase or decrease in drone strikes during Obama's presidency, but rather compare his numbers to those of his predecessors and successors ^{[1] [2]}.

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

Some key context missing from the original statement includes:

• The number of drone strikes conducted during specific years of Obama's presidency, which could help determine if the use of drone strikes increased or decreased over time ^[1].
• Alternative viewpoints on the use of drone strikes, such as the perspectives of other countries or international organizations, which could provide a more comprehensive understanding of the issue ^{[3] [4]}.
• The motivations behind Obama's use of drone strikes, which could help explain why the number of strikes increased during his presidency ^[1].
• Comparisons to other military tactics, which could provide context on the relative frequency of drone strikes compared to other forms of military action ^[2].

The sources also highlight that Trump launched 238 drone strikes in Yemen, Somalia, and Pakistan during his first two years, compared to Obama’s 186 in his first two years ^[5], which could be seen as an alternative viewpoint on the use of drone strikes.

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original statement may be misleading as it implies a straightforward increase or decrease in drone strikes during Obama's presidency, when in fact the sources suggest a more complex situation ^[1]. The statement may also be biased towards presenting Obama's use of drone strikes in a negative light, as it does not provide context on the motivations behind the strikes or comparisons to other military tactics ^{[3] [4]}. Additionally, the sources may be influenced by political agendas, with some sources potentially downplaying or exaggerating the number of drone strikes to suit their narrative ^{[5] [2]}. The ACLU and other organizations may benefit from a critical portrayal of Obama's drone strike policy, while the Obama administration and its supporters may benefit from a more nuanced understanding of the context surrounding the use of drone strikes ^{[3] [4]}.