A Surprising Theory About the Future of War
Summary
Derek Thompson interviews MIT professor Eric Lynn Greenberg about how drones are reshaping modern warfare. Greenberg argues that cheap, unmanned systems lower the barrier to military engagement, leading to more frequent but less escalatory conflicts, or "more jabs, fewer uppercuts." They discuss how this technology levels the playing field for weaker states and non-state actors, as seen in Ukraine and Iran, while potentially reducing overall casualties by removing human pilots from immediate danger.
Topics discussed
Sponsors: ServiceNow and Indeed
Introduction: The Remote Revolution in Warfare
Asymmetric Warfare: Cheap Drones vs. Expensive Defenses
Disruptive Innovation: Drones as the New Military Standard
Historical Analogies and the Cost of Military Operations
Escalation Control: More Jabs, Fewer Uppercuts
The Ladder of Escalation and Crisis Management
Future Tech: AI, Autonomy, and Drone Swarms
Sponsors: Edward Jones and Fox One
Non-State Actors: Cartels and Terrorists Using Drones
Domestic Threats: Drone Sightings and US Defense Gaps
Conclusion: Drones vs. Nukes and the Future of Conflict
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