Description
This presentation will outline a theoretical framework for a comparative analysis of non-state actors’ violent use of drones and provide initial findings from empirical case studies. Remotely-piloted aircraft are increasingly used successfully by non-state actors to support a large range of violent actions, from guiding vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices and insurgent troops towards their targets, to vectoring and adjusting indirect fire. This adoption of modified dual-use technology by non-state groups presents significant new challenges to military forces engaged in peace and security operations as well as to wider dynamics of asymmetric conflict and terrorism.
Drawing on six short case studies (Hamas, Hezbollah, Jabhat al-Nusra, ISIS; Houthi rebels, and the PKK) this presentation will lay the foundations for our research agenda into the use of drones by violent non-state actors. More specifically, we will examine 1) How do various non-state groups employ drones violently? 2) How do non-state groups develop drone technology programs, and how is drone technology diffused between states and non-state groups? 3) What new challenges does the proliferation of non-state violent drone programs present to military forces engaged in security operations? 4) What factors influence the decision by non-state groups to employ drones violently?
