Foreign Policy Live The Future of War
5 snips
Jun 11, 2025 
Mara Karlin, a professor at Johns Hopkins University and former assistant secretary of defense, dives into the transformative role of drones and AI in warfare. She discusses how Ukraine’s innovative drone strategies are changing military dynamics and the implications for global security. Karlin emphasizes the risks of rapid AI integration in military decision-making and the need for nations to adapt to these technological advancements. The conversation also critiques U.S. military preparedness amidst rising tensions with China.
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Ukraine's Drone Attack Themes
- Ukraine's drone attack showcases enduring themes in warfare: information operations, surprise, and strategic planning.
- It illustrates how even low-cost weapons can impact high-value military assets significantly.
Tech Levels Field Temporally
- In the short term, new technologies like drones level the playing field for smaller players.
- Over the medium to long term, advantage depends on who best integrates, scales, and adapts technology.
Drones and Escalation Dynamics
- Drones occupy a murky middle ground in escalation, between artillery and ballistic missiles.
- Their use illustrates challenges in attribution, information warfare, and escalation control among nuclear-armed states.
