ABSTRACT
‘The Battle Angels of Our Better Nature’ suggests that the development of ‘tools’ to distance humans from harm and transform capabilities has been a driving force in the development of machine-based civilisation. It is suggested that debates about the ethical and tactical consequences of drone war during the Global War on Terror are shifting towards discussion of conflicts such as the Russo-Ukrainian war and the potential use by non-state actors in a time of ‘open technological innovation.’ While the use of drones might continue to transform the liberal way of war in more ‘humane’ directions, drone war might also prolong and extend the time of war through the technological enhancement of warfighting; the use of drones might also result in the possibility of military–technical events that have implications not factored into strategic calculations.
