War as a continuation of politics by other means... unmanned

Abstract

The growth of US combat capability due to the operational introduction of drones is the most significant of any weapon system in recent decades. Under this new operating model, the drones are proliferating a myriad of essential activities in the battle space, while relieving the pilot of the risk of monotonous or dangerous missions, who operates thousands of miles away in an air-conditioned cubicle, executing the attack on a high-definition monitor. By analyzing the current situation, from the standpoint of the conduct the United States of America (USA), indications reveal change in the nature of the political debate influenced by the widespread employment of drones. Namely, judging specifically how drones affect the strategic culture of states by the use of coercive force to achieve political objectives and, in particular, the almost irresistible political temptation to employ air power as a principal military response. In this context, the issue at stake is whether Remote Control Air War strengthens the capacity of deterrence and compulsion of future opponents, or if, on the other hand, lowers the bar for the use of force, making hostile conflict more likely. The focus of this discussion is on the argument that drones provide the ability to employ military capabilities in a conflict, without the need to build a broad political or public consensus. Likewise, while making the political decision-making process easier and spontaneous in order to use force, the planning and execution of military strategy is made more difficult, the result of the complexity and uncertainty of “boomerang” effects.