Drones and Data: The New Face of Global Conflict

How are drone strikes and precision targeting transforming warfare? In this episode of Facing Coming Storms, George Barrows from the Institute for the Study of War and Brian Carter from the American Enterprise Institute analyse Ukraine’s Operation Spider’s Web, smuggling drones into Russia to disrupt airfields, and Israel’s strikes on Iran’s nuclear program. These intelligence-driven operations expose air defence vulnerabilities and reshape global conflicts.Iran’s proxy strategy crumbles under Israel’s precision, while Ukraine’s bold moves challenge Russian dominance. We examine how high-tech warfare, limited munitions, and interconnected flashpoints redefine battle lines, providing a stark view of war’s evolving nature.Key moments09:39 - Probing Air Defences Globally19:42 - Strategic Impact of Spiderweb Operation25:00 - AI-Driven Targeting Capabilities36:03 - Targeting Key Personnel in Conflicts37:29 - Defining Modern Warfare39:31 - Russia’s Potential for Limited Wars41:22 - Vulnerability to Stealth Strikes43:12 - Chinese Concerns Over Penetration43:29 - NATO’s Air Power Limitations45:56 - Munitions and Sustainability Issues53:12 - Drone Threats to DefencesFacing Coming Storms is brought to you by the British Army’s Centre for Historical Analysis and Conflict Research, in partnership with the Project for the Study of the 21st Century, and produced by Urban Podcasts.