Special Forces Aren’t Ready for Drone Warfare | John Kowalski

Drones are already reshaping modern warfare—from Ukraine to the Red Sea to the Strait of Hormuz.

In this episode, Scott sits down with U.S. Army Special Forces Major John Kowalski to break down what that means for the future of conflict—and whether America is ready for it.

Drawing on real-world examples from Ukraine, Iranian-backed proxy forces, and conflicts around the globe, Kowalski argues that unmanned systems are not just another capability—they are fundamentally changing how wars are fought. In some cases, they are already responsible for the majority of casualties and are allowing low-resource actors to punch far above their weight.

The question is what comes next.

For decades, U.S. Army Special Forces have operated as 12-man teams built around advising and enabling partner forces. But if future conflicts are dominated by drones in the air, on the ground, and at sea, that model may no longer be enough.

Kowalski makes the case that Special Forces must adapt—structurally, not just tactically—including the potential need for new roles, new training pipelines, and a fundamental rethink of how teams are organized and deployed.

This conversation explores:
– Why drone warfare is accelerating faster than most militaries can adapt
– How non-state actors are using cheap systems to create strategic effects
– What the U.S. is getting right—and where it may still be behind
– How Special Forces could evolve to remain relevant in future conflicts

If the current trajectory continues, the next major conflict won’t look like Iraq or Afghanistan.

It will look very different.

And the time to adapt is now.