Armed drones. A humanitarian weapon? Targeted killings by U.S. drones and the role of Italy

This paper aims at illustrating how the arming of drones – in particular by the United States – changed the dynamics of international armed conflicts but also of other contexts, thereby bringing a sense of urgency to the international debate on the lawfulness of targeted killings. Attention will be drawn to the current international trend whereby the responsibility of third States that facilitate U.S. drone operations is being brought into scrutiny, before showing how this trend opens the door to Italy being held liable for the drone operations conducted from the military base in Sigonella.