Omer Okzan

Weaponizing Imagery: How States Use Drone Footage to Shape War, Policy, and Diplomacy

This project examines how governments strategically use drone imagery to shape political narratives and generate advantages across conflict, military procurement, and diplomacy. From early telescopes to modern battlefield sensors, advances in visual technologies have steadily expanded what can be seen and recorded in war, enabling decision-makers to shape public perception and influence conflict narratives. In today’s digital information environment, drones equipped with high-resolution optics provide states with unprecedented capacity to generate and circulate battlefield imagery aligned with political objectives. Moving beyond scholarship that treats drones primarily as operational tools, this project conceptualizes drone imagery as a political resource. It shows how contemporary states leverage drone-captured visuals to influence audiences, legitimize decisions, and pursue strategic goals beyond the battlefield.