Defending America Against Drones; A Whole-of-Government Approach
Paul Lushenko and Joseph Amoroso

On October 7, 2023, Hamas used drones to initiate its attack on Israel. On June 1, 2025, Ukraine conducted Operation Spider Web, using over 100 drones to strike Russian military bases and destroy one-third of the country’s strategic bombers. Later in June, Israel conducted Operation Roaring Lion, using drones to destroy Iran’s air defenses and enable jets to target Iranian missile
production facilities. Michael Poznansky and Erik Sand argue that these were “spectacular” attacks akin to covert operations. They were deliberate, well resourced, and aimed at high payoffs, such as demonstrating resolve. Securityconditions in the U.S. are different, Poznansky and Sand contend, such that fears of similar attacks in the homeland are “overstated.”