On Thursday afternoon, President Obama will give a speech at National Defense University during which he is expected to provide his first detailed justification for the targeted killing program run by the C.I.A. and the Pentagon.
The Obama administration has carried out hundreds of targeted killing operations using armed drones in Pakistan, Yemen and parts of Africa, but the program has remained, for the most part, a secret. It is unclear how much detail Mr. Obama will give about the drone program, but his speech is likely to renew the public debate about the costs, benefits and efficacy of targeted killing operations.
The New York Times's national security team is taking your questions about drones and their role in the United States's security strategy. Post your questions in the comments below, or on Twitter using the hashtag #AskNYT.
Then, check back before Mr. Obama's speech on Thursday for answers to selected readers' questions from The Times's Mark Mazzetti, Eric Schmitt and Scott Shane.
