ChromeRadio Chrome360 | THE FUTURE OF AIR POWER | Reflections on the Use of Modern Air Power | Lawrence Freedman
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Jul 23, 2018 
Lawrence Freedman, Emeritus Professor of War Studies at King's College London, dives into the evolution of air power since the Gulf War. He discusses the limitations of air strikes in Iraq and Kosovo, emphasizing the necessity for ground forces. The podcast explores the complexities of air warfare in the post-2001 era, particularly in the war on terror and its unpredictable challenges. Freedman also highlights the transformative role of UAVs in modern conflicts and reflects on how historical context is vital for understanding the future of air power.
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Gulf War: A Turning Point
- The First Gulf War (1991) demonstrated the surprising capabilities of modern air power, particularly the effectiveness of the US air campaign against Iraqi forces.
- This significantly altered public and expert perception of air power's potential.
Limited Objectives, Focused Air Power
- Both the First Gulf War and the Kosovo intervention highlight a crucial aspect of air power strategy.
- The objective in these conflicts was not regime change, which simplified the military approach and allowed for a more focused use of air power.
Air Power's Limits in the War on Terror
- The ongoing nature of the "war on terror" underscores the limitations of air power in achieving lasting political solutions.
- While effective in some tactical scenarios, air power alone cannot address the complex political and social factors that fuel these conflicts.