Drones

While many people are aware of Predator drones used for counterinsurgency operations, unmanned systems of a wide variety have relevance in a wide range of applications—including great-power competition. Unmanned aerial systems have been used in the war in Ukraine for artillery spotting with devastating effect, and swarms of drone planes and ships have been demonstrated by Chinese state firms.

Content

Issue Brief

Mar 4, 2022

Techno-geopolitics and the Turkish way of drone warfare

By Dr. Can Kasapoğlu

Turkish Defense expert Can Kasapoglu analyzes the implications of Turkey's military dronization and evolution of drone warfare. Turkish drones have already proven to be capable assets in a variety of conflict zones across the region, with Ukraine being the last example.

Conflict Defense Industry

UkraineAlert

Jan 9, 2022

How to make a Russian invasion of Ukraine prohibitively expensive

By Andriy Zagorodnyuk

Bolstering Ukraine's ability to wage an effective asymmetric campaign on home soil may be the most effective way to deter Russian President Vladimir Putin from launching a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Conflict Defense Technologies

TURKEYSource

Dec 16, 2021

Turkey could tip the balance in the Ukraine-Russia standoff

By Matthew Bryza, Grady Wilson

Turkey is doubling down on defense cooperation with Ukraine via drone sales, while retaining cordial relations with Russia. How can Ankara's diplomacy play a role in this simmering conflict?

Conflict Defense Industry

Issue Brief

Dec 14, 2021

Missile defense: The end of the interim solution

By Patrick O’Reilly

Forward Defense Nonresident Senior Fellow and former US Missile Defense Agency director Patrick O'Reilly argues that the time is now to invest in directed energy missile defense.

China Defense Policy

In the News

Dec 9, 2021

Cole in War on the Rocks on the US need for an algorithmic warfare group

By Atlantic Council

Scowcroft Center nonresident senior fellow August Cole writes on the need for an Algorithmic Warfare Group in War on the Rocks.

Cybersecurity Defense Policy

UkraineAlert

Dec 6, 2021

Guerrilla tactics offer Ukraine’s best deterrent against Putin’s invasion force

By T. X. Hammes

As Ukraine faces the prospect of a possible major escalation in the country's seven-year undeclared war with Russia, Kyiv's best chance of countering the Kremlin invasion force may be via the use of guerrilla tactics.

Conflict Defense Technologies

UkraineAlert

Oct 28, 2021

Strong Ukraine-Turkey partnership holds the key to Black Sea security

By Dmytro Kuleba

The strengthening strategic partnership between Ukraine and Turkey is vital for Black Sea security and offers a model for greater NATO engagement in the region, writes Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba.

Conflict Defense Technologies

In the News

Oct 25, 2021

Nurkin at ITSS Verona on the implications of artificial intelligence for drone technology

By Atlantic Council

Forward Defense nonresident senior fellow Tate Nurkin on how artificial intelligence will affect the use of military drones.

Defense Technologies Drones

In the News

Sep 24, 2021

Preble in the Washington Examiner: The US drone program has psychological costs

By Atlantic Council

On September 21, Christopher Preble was quoted in a Washington Examiner article on lawmakers reactions to the 10 civilian deaths caused by a US drone strike on August 29 in Kabul. “There’s obviously cost paid by the people on the ground,” Preble said. “And there’s a psychological effect on the American servicemen and women who […]

Afghanistan Drones

In the News

Jun 29, 2021

Slavin joined VOA Russian to discuss the latest US strikes in Syria and Iraq

By Atlantic Council

Conflict Crisis Management

Experts