As someone who's been looking into #drones, two things I found interesting:
First, the conflict showed again the important propaganda value of drones. As drones carry sophisticated surveillance tech, they document every strike they make (if armed), or operation flown. (2/8)
So using drones is like having a film crew with you, and Azerbaijan in particular has taken advantage of this, publishing clips of their drone operations. (3/8)
Second, and more importantly: there used to be a conviction among drone researchers, that today's drones wouldn't play a big role in interstate conflicts, because they are rather vulnerable and not very powerful. (4/8)
The general understanding (generalising a bit here) was that today's #drones were only really useful in areas where the drone user had aerial superiority, so for example when fighting non-state actors. (5/8)
But now we see two states use drones against each other, and with quite some impact. I think the analysis of many drone researchers, including myself, was too focused on larger military powers. (6/8)
Because for smaller states, which do have air forces, but only have a limited number of aircraft - as is the case for both Armenia and Azerbaijan - drones are quite an important contribution because they boost aerial capabilities. (7/8)
I think that's what we are seeing at the moment. (end)
Addendum: Quite fascinating that we now seeing old *manned aircraft* being repurposed as disposable #drones (as #Azerbaijan is doing with old Antonov An-2).
(And yes I know there is a long history of that from the beginning of drone development)
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
I read Germany’s new national security strategy so you don’t have to.
(Though, it’s not a terrible read, so don’t let me keep you).
Thread with some thoughts and main points according to, well, me. #Sicherheitsstrategie
First the tldr: it’s s fine.
It says the right things, in the right tones. Nothing major was forgotten, nothing major gotten wrong (biggest bone of contention, imo, is 🇨🇳 and “multipolarity” ). It, however, also doesn’t really say anything particularly surprising or substantial.
Now that I have lost 90% of the readership, let’s dive into the details 😂.
Today is the day: Germany is getting its very first national security strategy.
I’ll follow the press conference at 11am and will let you know when we know more about its super secret* content.
*the strategy has been kept under close wraps.
Germany has had white books so far, but no comprehensive national security strategy. The document’s publication was delayed several times over this year - it was first supposed to be published in February, and be presented at the Munich Security Conference.
I told myself to stay out of this one, but I can't help myself, so here a few thoughts on the #Macron interview.
First, as many have pointed out, if you want to engage in the discussion, read the Les Echos interview, rather than the article with quotes from Politico. lesechos.fr/monde/enjeux-i…
My assessment of the #Macron interview:
. Some good points
. Several strong - ie controversial - statements on European sovereignty which were surely meant to ruffle feathers in the US and some European capitals
. A problematic stance on Taiwan
. *TERRIBLE* timing.
Mhm. I find that headline a bit odd. Like, maybe it’s more explicit than before, and it’s the first time in a national security strategy- but that’s because it’s the first nat security strategy.
Back from @MunSecConf 2023. Always interesting, but this year more important than ever. A few observations:
For me, the theme of the conference was ‘getting the global south on board re our stance on Russia’. #Macron was the first speaker to make the point in detail, but it was also a major element of Kamala Harris’ speech, Stoltenberg, Marin and others equally emphasised it.
There is a realisation that other states don’t care as much about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as the west thinks they should. That this invasion & its war crimes are a breach of int. law that cannot stand is an argument western countries will need to make more convincingly.