How are drone strikes and precision targeting transforming warfare? In this episode of Facing Coming Storms, George Barrows from the Institute for the Study of War and Brian Carter from the American Enterprise Institute analyse Ukraine’s Operation Spider’s Web, smuggling drones into Russia to disrupt airfields, and Israel’s strikes on Iran’s nuclear program. These intelligence-driven operations expose air defence vulnerabilities and reshape global conflicts.

Iran’s proxy strategy crumbles under Israel’s precision, while Ukraine’s bold moves challenge Russian dominance. We examine how high-tech warfare, limited munitions, and interconnected flashpoints redefine battle lines, providing a stark view of war’s evolving nature.

Key moments

09:39 - Probing Air Defences Globally

19:42 - Strategic Impact of Spiderweb Operation

25:00 - AI-Driven Targeting Capabilities

36:03 - Targeting Key Personnel in Conflicts

37:29 - Defining Modern Warfare

39:31 - Russia’s Potential for Limited Wars

41:22 - Vulnerability to Stealth Strikes

43:12 - Chinese Concerns Over Penetration

43:29 - NATO’s Air Power Limitations

45:56 - Munitions and Sustainability Issues

53:12 - Drone Threats to Defences

Facing Coming Storms is brought to you by the British Army’s Centre for Historical Analysis and Conflict Research, in partnership with the Project for the Study of the 21st Century, and produced by Urban Podcasts.