Open Briefing has produced a series of monthly intelligence briefings on remote warfare since April 2014. Periodically, we undertake a more in-depth assessment of the trends in remote warfare. This current report sets out the findings of the third such assessment. A key theme of this assessment is the adoption of remote warfare by state and non-state actors beyond the United States and its Western allies.
Tag: intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR)
Securing change: Recommendations for the British government regarding remote-control warfare
The United States has led the way in developing a new way of conceptualising and executing war. With the rise of austerity in Europe, other Western states have adopted part or all of this ‘remote-control warfare’ approach. However, the assessment of recent trends contained in this report makes it increasingly clear that remote-control warfare has its limits. As such, this report makes 31 specific recommendations to the British government.
Remote-control warfare briefing #11, April 2015: US special operations forces withdraw from Yemen, advocacy groups seek halt to autonomous military vehicles and weapons, China’s cyber operations acknowledged by PLA
Monthly briefing from the Open Briefing intelligence unit on developments in remote-control warfare. This month: US special operations forces withdraw from Yemen, severely limiting US counter-terrorism campaign; advocacy groups seek halt to autonomous military vehicles and weapons; China’s cyber operations acknowledged in influential People’s Liberation Army publication; and more.
Remote-control warfare briefing #10, March 2015: Regional powers contemplating deploying special forces against Islamic State, proliferation of drones leads to calls for international regulation, UK surveillance laws need overhaul
Monthly briefing from the Open Briefing intelligence unit on developments in remote-control warfare. This month: Key countries in Middle East and North Africa contemplating special operations forces deployments against Islamic State; proliferation of drones leads to calls for international regulation; UK surveillance laws need overhaul according to parliamentary committee; and more.
Remote-control warfare briefing #9, February 2015: US president acknowledges cyber security challenges, surge in private security in Yemen, US urges Europe to develop more advanced military technology
Monthly briefing from the Open Briefing intelligence unit on developments in remote-control warfare. This month: US president acknowledges cyber security challenges in State of the Union address; deteriorating security situation sparks surge in private security spending in Yemen; United States urges Europe to develop more advanced military technology; and more.
Blowback: The failure of remote-control warfare
It all seemed so convenient: remote-control warfare would minimise military casualties while rendering the civilian dead invisible. But in this article co-published with openDemocracy, Open Briefing's executive director, Chris Abbott, explains how the battlefield has come home and remote-control warfare is failing.
Remote-control warfare briefing #8, January 2015: Attacks in Paris, terrorist use of drones, Sony Pictures hack
Monthly briefing from the Open Briefing intelligence unit on developments in remote-control warfare. This month: attacks in France, Australia and Canada highlight domestic deployment of special operations forces for counter-terrorism operations; terrorist use of drones presents major potential threat to key sites and personnel in West; hack on Sony Pictures highlights key challenges in cyber security and conflict; and more.
Drones, special forces and mercenaries: Remote-control warfare briefing #05
Monthly briefing from the Open Briefing intelligence unit on developments in remote-control warfare. This month: increasing number of mercenaries in foreign conflicts from Balkans region; state and non-state hacker groups launch cyber attacks on Israel in response to Operation Protective Edge; US officials grapple with political and economic costs of NSA’s surveillance activities; and more.