How Global Demand for Military Drones is Transforming International Security and Geopolitics

{
  "authors": [
    "Steve Feldstein"
  ],
  "type": "legacyinthemedia",
  "centerAffiliationAll": "dc",
  "centers": [
    "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace"
  ],
  "collections": [
    "Tech and Democracy"
  ],
  "englishNewsletterAll": "democracy",
  "nonEnglishNewsletterAll": "",
  "primaryCenter": "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace",
  "programAffiliation": "DCG",
  "programs": [
    "Democracy, Conflict, and Governance"
  ],
  "projects": [],
  "regions": [],
  "topics": [
    "Security",
    "Foreign Policy"
  ]
}

In The Media

How Global Demand for Military Drones is Transforming International Security and Geopolitics

Military use of drones is surging globally. This paper argues that regional powers, particularly Iran, Israel, and Türkiye, are driving the proliferation of military drone exports due to cost efficiencies, improved capabilities, and minimal export restrictions.

By Steve Feldstein

Published on Dec 6, 2023

Georgetown Journal of International Affairs

About the Author

Steve Feldstein

Director, Democracy, Conflict, and Governance Program

Steve Feldstein is director of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in the Democracy, Conflict, and Governance Program. His research focuses on technology, national security, the global context for democracy, and U.S. foreign policy.

Recent Work

Commentary
Carnegie’s Summer Beach Reads
- +8
  Sophia Besch, Eric Ciaramella, Steve Feldstein, …
Article
The Unintended Consequences of Iran’s Asymmetric Strategy and America’s AI War
- Steve Feldstein

Security Foreign Policy

Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.

More Work from Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

Commentary
Carnegie Politika
As It Turns 25, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Reflects the New World Order
With the growth in points of friction between the great powers, organizations like the SCO will continue to play a role in the strategic adaptation of the smaller powers caught between them.
Temur Umarov
Commentary
Emissary
The Two Key Takeaways From Xi’s Egypt Visit
Amid celebrations of bilateral ties was a deeper focus on stability in the Middle East.
Amr Hamzawy
Commentary
Strategic Europe
Taking the Pulse: Is Canada Leading a Third Way?
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has twice inspired praise for standing up to U.S. President Donald Trump: at the 2026 World Economic Forum in Davos and on Canada-U.S. trade negotiations. Is Carney showing a third way better than the EU has in dealing with the Trump administration?
Rym Momtaz, ed.
Article
In Russia’s Long Drone Shadow
Moscow is testing Europe’s defenses with drone incursions and could decide to use drones against the continent on a much larger scale once the war in Ukraine pauses. European countries will need Kyiv to help them prepare for such a possibility.
Pavlo Zvenyhorodskyi
Commentary
Emissary
Is the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Performance Art or Meaningful Collaboration?
Xi, Putin, and other regional leaders are back-slapping in Bishkek, but the SCO has yet to answer the most serious questions about continental Asia's economic future.
Evan A. Feigenbaum

More Work from Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

Commentary

Carnegie Politika

As It Turns 25, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Reflects the New World Order

With the growth in points of friction between the great powers, organizations like the SCO will continue to play a role in the strategic adaptation of the smaller powers caught between them.

Temur Umarov

People dancing in the foreground, with a group of people in suites watching and an Air China plane in the background

Commentary

Emissary

The Two Key Takeaways From Xi’s Egypt Visit

Amid celebrations of bilateral ties was a deeper focus on stability in the Middle East.

Amr Hamzawy

Commentary

Strategic Europe

Taking the Pulse: Is Canada Leading a Third Way?

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has twice inspired praise for standing up to U.S. President Donald Trump: at the 2026 World Economic Forum in Davos and on Canada-U.S. trade negotiations. Is Carney showing a third way better than the EU has in dealing with the Trump administration?

Rym Momtaz, ed.

UAV Forpost of russian air force takes off at Kubinka air force base

Article

In Russia’s Long Drone Shadow

Moscow is testing Europe’s defenses with drone incursions and could decide to use drones against the continent on a much larger scale once the war in Ukraine pauses. European countries will need Kyiv to help them prepare for such a possibility.

Pavlo Zvenyhorodskyi

upward-facing view of ornately tiled buildings

Commentary

Emissary

Is the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Performance Art or Meaningful Collaboration?

Xi, Putin, and other regional leaders are back-slapping in Bishkek, but the SCO has yet to answer the most serious questions about continental Asia's economic future.

Evan A. Feigenbaum