Writing for South China Morning Post on 4 Oct, MEI Principle Fellow Alessandro Arduino examines a new development in warfare observed in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict – specifically, the use of foreign armed drones and mercenaries. Dr Arduino highlights how the presence of Syrian mercenaries, allegedly contracted by Turkey in support of Azerbaijan, reveals the ushering of an era of private military and security firms waging wars on behalf of central governments.

Read the full commentary here or read the Arabic translation of the commentary here.

Image caption: Syrian rebels gather in front of the remains of a burnt military vehicle belonging to Syrian government forces, Homs province (Photo by Freedom House via Flickr)