"Areas that we're not likely to see a strong turnout from the voters probably are in those areas that have been held by the Taliban and other insurgent groups for some time, " Cantwell said.

CNN: NATO on guard as big turnout expected in Afghan elections

Evidence of the drone strikes' impact can be found in the description provided by David Rohde, the former New York Times reporter held by the Taliban Haqqani Network for months in 2009, who called the drones "a terrifying presence" in South Waziristan.

CNN: Drones decimating Taliban in Pakistan

He also was asked by the parents of two jailed American aid workers to help secure their daughters' release, along with six other Western aid workers who are being held by the Taliban on charges of trying to convert Muslims to Christianity.

CNN: Jackson