ABSTRACT
A key concern for critical terrorism studies is the extent to which counterterrorism contributes to the promotion and perpetuation of terrorism. Pilotless drones to identify and destroy terrorist targets are the latest in counterterrorism the only game in town', as it is widely referred to, echoing the former CIA director and current defence secretary Leon Panetta. Counterterrorism's basic approach has always consisted in tabooing outlawed terrorists as untouchables with whom no communication of any sort was permitted. Eminent jurists and theologians believed in the seventeenth century that witches flew to the Sabbath, a belief that resulted in many thousands of them being burnt on the bonfire. It is no surprise that in our technology-driven era, counterterrorism officials will expect no less from drones and other flying objects. There is no point in trying to convince people that their fantasy images are unreal.
