War Is Being Reinvented: What Drones Are Doing to Modern Combat

I breathed a huge sigh of relief – a writer I’ve long trusted, explains current war happenings so I can understand. And, hopefully, you too.

“War is being reinvented right in front of our eyes. In both Ukraine and Iran, swarms of cheap, deadly drones have transformed the calculus of combat, enabling smaller counties to inflict enormous pain on their more powerful adversaries and turn certain defeat into costly stalemates. Drones, says Simon Shuster in The Atlantic this week, have done to tanks, missile-defense systems, and sophisticated military hardware “what muskets once did to knights in shining armor.”

In Ukraine, a dedicated legion of workers—some of them operating from their own kitchens—are making 4 million drones a year out of imported parts, computer chips, cameras, and explosives. Their interceptor drones are efficiently taking down most incoming Russian drones, while attack drones—flying suicide bombs—have turned the no-man’s-land between front lines into a “kill-zone,” where drone operators can spot and obliterate anything that moves. Russian is now losing an unsustainable 30,000 soldiers a month, and drones are responsible for 90% of the carnage. Its tanks are useless. Ukrainians also make long-range drones that are blowing up Russian oil refineries and sea drones that have sunk or damaged 11 Russian warships.

“Their level of innovation is out of this world.” — Lt. Gen. Steven Whitney, Senior Pentagon Official

In Iran, the Revolutionary Guards have launched thousands of Shahed drones and missiles that killed six Americans and seriously injured dozens of others at U.S. air bases in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, and wreaked havoc in the UAE, Oman and Qatar. Despite enormous advantages in firepower, the U.S. cannot reopen the Strait of Hormuz: All it takes is one drone or missile to turn an oil tanker into an inferno. Drones could also inflict major casualties on a U.S. landing force on Kharg Island or along the strait. The new era of asymmetric warfare has left President Trump sputtering in frustration. Reopening the strait, he said this week, “is not for us.” He told European nations to “go get your own oil.” Damn those drones. His pal Vladimir Putin knows exactly how he feels.

William Falk
Editor-at-Large, The Week | April 10, 2026
Editor’s Letter, p. 3

Dr. Jo Ann Lordahl is a lifelong author, poet, novelist, and speaker whose work explores empowerment, aging with grace, and the deep questions that define our lives. Her books and reflections — from historical fiction to meditations on creative living — encourage resilience, reflection, and positive transformation.

If this post stirs questions about moral courage, shared humanity, or the work of healing in hard times, consider exploring Dr. Lordahl’s writing — especially her essays and books on reflection and personal transformation. Her voice reminds us that even in upheaval, there is a path toward patience, insight, and compassionate action.