The nature of warfare is transforming in front of our eyes. From Israel to Kashmir and Ukraine, drones are increasingly salient in conflict. New digital battlefields are rapidly emerging, as countries employ artificial intelligence for targeting. Meanwhile, global military expenditure grew by nearly 10 percent last year—the steepest annual increase since the Cold War. How prepared is the United States, especially with ongoing streamlining efforts? And how much has China caught up?
Mara Karlin served as assistant secretary of defense during the Biden administration and led the development of the 2022 National Defense Strategy. She joined FP Live for an in-depth discussion on the future of global warfare and the United States’ role in it.