Terrorists’ Use of Drones Promises to Extend Beyond Middle East Battlefields

An article coauthored by terrorism expert and Georgetown University professor Dr. Anne Speckhard discusses terrorist groups’ use of drones in their operations, almost all of which have been in the Middle East, and the likelihood that these devices will be employed in terrorist attacks elsewhere. The article shows pictures of some of the drones that were customized for battlefield use by the Islamic State. In one case, a drone intended for aerial videography and photography was modified to conduct surveillance and drop explosives. While this and most of the other examples reflect non-state actors’ use of commercially-available drones, the article observes that state-sponsorship of terrorist groups may increase the likelihood and sophistication of these attacks in the future. The article also reminds readers that U.S. officials, including FBI Director Christopher Wray, have warned the public of the potential for drone attacks given their availability and ease of use, as well as terrorist groups’ experiences with these devices. Read the article at Homeland Security Today.