Drones, hackers and mercenaries - The future of war | DW Documentary

A shadow war is a war that, officially, does not exist. As mercenaries, hackers and drones take over the role armies once played, shadow wars are on the rise.
States are evading their responsibilities and driving the privatization of violence. War in the grey-zone is a booming business: Mercenaries and digital weaponry regularly carry out attacks, while those giving orders remain in the shadows.
Despite its superior army, the U.S. exhausted its military resources in two seemingly endless wars. Now, the superpower is finally bringing its soldiers home. But while the U.S.’s high-tech army may have failed in Afghanistan, it continues to operate outside of official war zones. U.S. Special Forces conduct targeted killings, using drones, hacks and surveillance technologies. All of this is blurring the lines between war and peace.
The documentary also shows viewers how Russian mercenaries and hackers destabilized Ukraine. Indeed, the last decade has seen the rise of cyberspace armament. Hacking, sometimes subsidized by states, has grown into a thriving business. Digital mercenaries sell spy software to authoritarian regimes. Criminal hackers attack any target that can turn a profit for their clients.
But the classic mercenary business is also taking off, because states no longer want their official armies to go into battle. Former mercenary Sean McFate outlines how privatizing warfare creates an even greater demand for it. He warns that a world of mercenaries is a world dominated by war.
[This documentary was originally released in 2021]
#documentary #dwdocumentary
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[@000DAAN000]

10:57 "It's an obsolete weapon, built to win the last war, and not the future war" What a great quote

[@tayler2396]

Only it's probably nonsense.

[@philipreynolds5088]

@@tayler2396 It obviously is. Same with the doesn't intimidate China/Russia. I think the last 6 months has shown that the F35 would desolate a peer-to-peer opponent

[@xyan819]

DW never disappoints with its documentaries as usual.

[@arbaz79]

As usual an excellent,amazing and top-notch documentary by DW❤.

[@Atlastheyote222]

Nowadays war is fought 40% on the frontlines and 60% silently, online. A team of hackers can do billions of dollars in damages with nothing but a room of computers and a lot of patience and knowledge on silent pre-exploit reconnaissance figuring out how to deliver a payload and deal maximum damage. DW did a great job covering these incidents. Stuxnet really was a turning point for the world and made way for people like me to formally study and be trained in cybersecurity, both attack and defence. It’s a life goal of mine to one day become a security analyst for ASIS or ASIO 🙏

[@zegfeldmobata4160]

Never miss a DW documentray. They know what they are doing and what the people are interested in.

[@digitalperson108]

💯

[@seetheanimal5867]

Tittle is a good start 👀

[@Known-unknowns]

Do you work for DW News ? Do you receive any financial reward in anyway from the company?

[@nefelibata4190]

what smart people are interested in anyway.

[@williamyoung9401]

This is why I watch DW. The American media likes to hide our mistakes so we never learn.

[@antonionjango]

Beyond shocked they went into this much detail ... I had to make sure it was really DW dropping so many gems

[@ed2176]

Id say people should save these documentaries just in case we might need them later.

[@herratossavainen2320]

thank you DW, you are making me and 1000s of others better people

[@thedudeabides3138]

This was a really excellent documentary, thank you for the insight and to all those involved in the telling of the story.

[@DWDocumentary]

Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@joshlanier8567]

I'd like to add as a joke hopefully they are all still alive.. but in today's time it's not really a joke.

[@vikaswalke9275]

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[@traveler5973]

@@DWDocumentary garbage

[@NorthstarMov]

Salvation at hand, The smoke now fades, The smell of powder and death still remains, Killed in battle, few are alive, None are forgotten for giving their lives. Shackles of waaarrrrrrrrrrrr......

[@cosmo1boi]

Words fail to thank DW enough for keeping to provide top-tier documentaries and media.

[@Ush95]

Very glad to see the PMC issue being elaborated on. Brilliant work.

[@MrCatrapau]

I got informed and i still had a bit of a dance at the end. Cheers DW, keep up the good work.

[@rifleman42051]

The content on this video was amazing! So glad I watched this!

[@alexevans5864]

Another fantastic documentary, thank you for this content.

[@mirantoplak1248]

Great Job DW...you open the ayes of many...

[@Thedesertguy75]

DW really is the best journalism out there. Where we are heading from a technological standpoint is just.......terrible. yeah definitely makes a person want to just throw their smartphone away. This is nuts man. Incredible documentary.

[@buahburke9912]

Throwing away the smartphone ... thank you.

[@AmeliasMiMi]

Eye opening and scary too. Thank you for being a documentary channel that I’ve grown to rely on to understand what’s really going on in the world.

[@autohmae]

I wonder if people who watch these kinds of documentaries have questions. I work in IT and can maybe answer some of them.

[@traveler142]

@@autohmae answer questions like why after Every Country that the US has invaded/entered the ICT markets have followed. controlling a populations beliefs and their behaviors is Imperative in making New Laws that directly affect the people.. oppression and suppression.

[@orangejjay]

@@traveler142 It's not strictly for spying and oppression for the local populace. Internet has brought about a third industrial revolution and allowing it to expand allows a country to rapidly grow. It also allows for western countries to further blanket the invaded country with their culture and expand the commercial stronghold that western corporations love. More Internet means more money and power for America's corporations and friends.

[@traveler142]

@@orangejjay as I have already stated... pretty clear, I might add... the people are being suppressed and oppressed. a population on the grid means that they can shut any and all opposition down by a simply flip of a switch. spying and tracking you is how.

[@faith4freedom76]

@23:12 - How could anyone walk away from that?

[@CraBundy]

one of the best .Docs I have seen in a while

[@ilyesmeghlaoui4950]

Good job DW, the truth should be told and shadow wars should be stopped... Thank you very much for this amazing documentary

[@Counterhackingsafe]

DW never fails to impress with their in-depth and thought-provoking documentaries. This latest one on the rise of drones, hackers, and mercenaries in the future of war is a must-watch for anyone interested in understanding the complexities and consequences of privatizing warfare. Bravo DW, keep up the excellent work!

[@Tooi-1grote-rotzooi]

This is happening right now in my life in Holland am just a citizen?

[@SuperCrowHeart]

Yeeeah...normally I'd agree with you but this hyped up stuff about mercenaries. Mercenaries are as old as war itself. None of this is new.

[@Brad-ub8pt]

​@@Tooi-1grote-rotzooithere are many of targeted individuals around. There's a war against uncorrupt citizens.

[@tranngochuan9068]

I agree with you that the content at DW is considerable. Today I understood a bit about mercenary who is hired to engage some battles or fights.

[@aytw661]

Fr, their doc is top notch

[@yehiaaziz4921]

The best source for news and documentaries Thank you DW

[@javedkhan.17]

Loved your documentary ..thanq for showing it to us

[@videostoviews2262]

MORE ON THESE TOPICS PLEASE!! GREAT DOCUMENTARY DW💡

[@klaudiagrob]

This is terrifying. Excellent documentary

[@SupraSav]

Amazing documentary. I didn't realize 42 minutes went by. Thanks

[@NicolasTheBeardless]

For someone who is passionate about the intelligence/military environment and how warfare will evolve in the future, this was top-notch!

[@Contractor48]

As a cybersecurity geek, I am a little bit disappointed. Although the spy and mercenaries didn’t disappoint. FYI, if your smart hardware is from China(smart tv, fridge etc) don’t connect it to your Wi-Fi.

[@richardg1426]

Just think wars all over the planet using machines and mercenaries that will go on for ever ! because no one will know what their fighting for !

[@reclusiarchgrimaldus1269]

John 3:16 NIV For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 🙏!!

[@buahburke9912]

John 3:16...Correct. And it's not comforting to know our governments have the exact opposite feelings for US citizens. After everything that's come to light in the last, say 23 yrs, & especially the last 4, how do we believe anything we hear regarding war? We are living in a freaking non stop CLOWN-SHOW. How much of this is planned opposition? Media 'stars' has zero respect for Americans, no apologies for blatant lies...even this company / orator is tied by what they can or cannot tell us without being deleted off You-Tube. What do you do with THAT knowledge?

[@litovillar6027]

Again DW is so good❤️❤️❤️

[@b2617]

So happy I just found this channel. I love good documentaries. Thanks for the effort you put into these.

[@xxxneoxxx]

Jeremy Scahill, great investigative journalist! His work on Blackwater was an eye opener. Great doco DW, thanks.

[@labworm]

What would I do without your documentaries DW?! amazing!

[@williamyoung9401]

I know the video was almost over, but I had to pause it and get another cup of coffee when you showed me Fat Kim with trumpets blaring, lol.

[@kenmakau192]

DW always understands the assignment. Regards from Nairobi, Kenya.

[@mwanikimwaniki6801]

Naona Tuko

[@DWDocumentary]

Thank you for watching and taking the time to comment! We're glad you like our content. :)

[@johnkihara8014]

tyko wengi uku

[@agnesmetes3104]

nj regardsqa jacking up the date and work for you wanted wanted it come

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[@bamhi1522]

Round of applause for the real MVP here microsoft! For whom without, all this fun wouldnt even be possible.

[@NodDisciple1]

"Just eat the bugs."-Bill Gates.

[@vivebien145]

Simply amazing content. Never regret having found your channel. And in regard to the situation, its rather unsettling, as is everything in world politics

[@PalCan]

The ultimate plausible deniability: autonomous weapon systems. We really are heading to a Terminator style future. Sad.

[@WolfgangVonKempelen838]

Good for Arnold though

[@matthewford937]

So we need to take out Russia now. It has to end.

[@killak-wunnz.kwunnz]

Yeh man so fucking true . I gotta look back at some movies possibly find a few skills or tips for survival. EMF jammers ? Mmm I think shit is likely to be well advanced no doubt actually.🤖* Primary objectives seek n eliminate EMF blocking devices and neutralise all holders / controllers within 1km radius of operation. Arnold in Predator rocks a mud cake to be undetected from the predator, heat or thermal vision didn't have any play on that one. Good old Arnold! SON OF A BITCH!👋

[@paolorocchi7151]

I am afraid so… judgment day is upon us…the new generation is so co dependent on technology that they take it all for granted, as if it’s normal to have this level of networks and AI. The issue is that they are so dumb down and so numbed failing to realise that no network is fully secure and technology can be easily weaponised. It’s not a matter of if but when judgment day will strike! Funny thing is ask an average 20 something year old kid and they don’t even know what we mean by judgment day 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@dm24cars]

A.I. is becoming self aware!

[@oshkoshb-josh5389]

I absolutely LOVE DW!! Top tier quality journalism….thank you the world needs to here neutral reporting 🤓

[@trentcruise3084]

🤣😂🤣😂

[@baba-ganoush]

Hear* ;)

[@ridethecurve55]

I'm from Oshkosh. This was an eye-opener. But it makes me wonder if there can EVER be a winner and loser. There is an Action, then a Reaction - wash, rinse, and repeat. I have to wonder why some are motivated by this highest-stakes way to make a living. Sure, these mercenaries are paid very very well, but at what risk? Do they really know the risk they're taking, and just how fast things can go wrong? I quote the honorable Mike Tyson, who said, "Everyone has a plan, until you get punched in the face". This job entails much more than merely getting 'punched' in the face! Thank You, DW, for this glimpse into a life and reality few could ever imagine. Keep these documentaries coming, eh?

[@roxaskinghearts]

Build secure code and flawless systems how do you do this its not easy anti viruses are a key tho and microsofts push

[@nileshsingh2924]

Neutral?!…

[@bran9496]

Phenomenal documentary, well done !

[@nobojerry]

thanks for this quality documentary

[@ewsdneax61eaxe10]

As always DW is the best in documentary👍👍👍

[@AdventureSam]

High quality as always DW ❤️

[@Acode7940]

OMG. Thank you, once again excellent reporting.

[@VicharB]

Thanks for this documentary, it was interesting and insightful.

[@canalcomposicaonapratica]

DW rocks...you are great!!

[@TheBumpdjs]

fantastic documentary - thankyou for great reporting

[@metafuel]

This was excellent and heartbreaking.

[@chris432t6]

Excellent as usual! Thank you.

[@mcaadif1907]

Imagine watching one single documentary daily since COVID19 from this channel! Even weekends. I get a lot of information from the world we are living. Thanks DW team for unwavering work you have for us.

[@perdignkd4167]

Another world class report by DW. Thank you !

[@monsieurVi]

It would be great to watch documentary about diverse forms of hacking and how the cyber threads/fixes can attribute to our after all better vision of future. Thank you!

[@sideshowbobrobert]

yet another excellent deep dive into realms most are completely unaware of...

[@bwanaemmanuel5952]

As always, DW continues to open eyes. Great work. Kudos.

[@royally-legal]

Another incredibly profound, graphically well structured, and professionally top-notch documentary - brought to us by D-Dubs!

[@DWDocumentary]

Thanks a lot for watching and for your positive feedback, Lisa. We appreciate you taking the time to comment and are glad you like our content! :-)

[@_construction_2023]

@@DWDocumentary Ddubs ??? Germany. Not d Dubbs.

[@_construction_2023]

@@DWDocumentary Deutsche Welle Documentaries. ( thumbs up )

[@_construction_2023]

@@DWDocumentary I just got back from Deutschland am Februar. Alles war ok, aber corona problem, leute mit masken, etc...... alles gute , Beste grusse.

[@stateradio115]

@@_construction_2023 D-Dubs (dubs = W)

[@MrGhostclick]

Amazing documentary. Thank you!

[@Ra_Mystery]

This was Really Cool! Thank You for This!

[@ahmadawad3988]

Aside from all documentaries I have watched throught my life DW is the most valuable and informative , and Innovative Documentary Channel keep going ahead 😊😊

[@DWDocumentary]

Thanks a lot for watching and for your positive feedback, Ahmad! We appreciate you taking the time to comment and are glad you like our content. :)

[@johnedward3404]

**. I JUST SUBSCRIBED... **

[@traveler5973]

@@DWDocumentary how much you paid paid by taxpayers?

[@MrMister441]

Very high quality journalism by DW. I enjoy your documentaries alot.

[@DWDocumentary]

Thanks a lot for watching and for your positive feedback, Stephen. We appreciate you taking the time to comment and are glad you like our content!

[@eddielazzeri2051]

Excellent documentary! Congratulations!

[@Cooper43642]

excellent up to date documentary

[@dread-cthulu]

DW never ceases to impress me with their journalism!

[@oscarcastillo8081]

great documentary!!!!! please make one about cyber war only it's very interesting

[@bunyolofreshfarms7475]

What could we do without DW...very informative documentary this.

[@DWDocumentary]

Thanks for watching.

[@grgcharan]

They are called Private Military Contractors if they are from the West. But if they are from Russia, they are called Mercenaries.

[@distorfilsgud9680]

I'm ashamed I didnt know of this channel until now..Great documentary, as it should be . 18:10 "when you've been doing what he did for so many years, you miss it a little, including the comraderie" Something many people disregard about soldiers and how they are in civilian life..There are 2 different worlds, any collision ends up in a news blizzard usually affecting all veterans unfortunately...

[@DWDocumentary]

Thank you for watching and taking the time to comment!

[@traveler5973]

@@DWDocumentary nice getting paid by taxpayers huh?

[@thevigilant6884]

It’s encoded in our behavioral biology to seek for brotherhood, particularly for men. That is how we evolved for the past tens of thousands of years since it used to be crucial for our survival. Now that we can get literally everything we need to survive in just a day we are neglecting the psychological aspects needed for self-actualization.

[@ariadgaia5932]

Terrifying & heart-wrenching!

[@retro_451]

Really great. I enjoyed every minute.

[@DWDocumentary]

Thanks for watching!

[@retro_451]

@@DWDocumentary You keep making them, I'll absolutely keep watching them. (And recommend to my friends)

[@2007bambino]

Well done! Thank You!!!

[@hotmomma7557]

DW earned my TRUST than those famous mainstream media. I applauded you guys and the people who talk about the truth that the society deprived us for years. KEEP SAFE!

[@brinjoness3386]

Pbs and BBC are no different.

[@ironlungs1970]

DW is mainstream media.

[@yishakabrham5002]

DW as always brought us a quality best documentaries . from Ethiopia

[@arjunpanday520]

Excellent work 👏

[@BASE5NYC]

DW makes some of the best docs around today. Great reporting & topics. - and weapons like the F-35 are hardly obsolete, when these computer nerd wars turn into real wars we will need actual weapons.

[@NEOgeek402]

I wish that were true but are you aware the best fighter pilots now are all AI?

[@BASE5NYC]

@@NEOgeek402 They're AI assisted to help make fast decisions based on logic & math a person couldt do in the time frame.. you'll always need a person to fly the plane and make regular decisions. And don't say drones. That's a different thing. There's a small chance your smarter than that. But doubtful... Well considering you're an expert on the F35. The world most advanced fighter plane.. maybe you have some insight.

[@firerabbit2659]

@@NEOgeek402 you're arguing about mathematics with a cave man. He literally called it, "nerd wars".

[@sab4793]

It can happen, it’s possible. Ukraine has been using some weapons from their computers..

[@hdj81Vlimited]

who is we? USA make all the wars...............

[@shikaku1276]

Excellent documentary. So detailed and informative.

[@DWDocumentary]

Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment!

[@JesseJames83]

incredible background info for the current war

[@KevinP32270]

love this documentary.

[@marvinhauso1854]

Very factual. Continue the gd job. DW.

[@baba-pl6oj]

very informative documentary.

[@mysticismofficial5105]

Good stuff!! Loved every single minute of it!!! Definitely my favorite episode for sure

[@alfabraxton]

*Today you have earned yourself a new subscriber 👏👏👏, much love from Kenya*

[@DWDocumentary]

Thank you for watching and subscribing! Welcome🤗.

[@alfabraxton]

@@DWDocumentary 👍

[@fanny3942]

😩😳😱this is very scary 😟. Thank you DW

[@nava_surveys]

Fair journalism.

[@danielschaeffer1294]

Years ago I read a small book by one Martin Van Kreveld entitled “The Transformation of War.” The thesis? In the future large, WWII style wars will become too destructive and EXPENSIVE to be tenable. Wars will become smaller, more frequent, unorthodox, and a lot nastier. Prophetic.

[@autohmae]

Smaller, maybe digital attacks are easier to replicate around the world without having to go anywhere physically.

[@DanielNjora]

Great documentary and I love it .

[@The01Ghost]

Not only is this documentary quite an interesting one, it is also very educational..

[@crypticTV]

1:35 Mersk Notpetya computer virus - highest cost and scale 1:45 arrests 2:16 sandworm 2:29 FBI wanted 3:04 Power cyber physical attack - edward snowden 3:56 no idea 4:20 attacks and investigation begin 7:15 US same vulnerabilities as Iran - blowback 7:50 Ukraine = training camp 8:37 Sandworm - Dune reference

[@Ze_Moose]

I wish all content creators could do what you just did. You're doing God's work 👍🏽

[@crypticTV]

@@Ze_Moose Haha thanks bro. I too wish creators would do this. At least use the KZbin feature to divide video into chapters. Also mind you I only finished watching start of video so will update as I finish 🤙

[@Ze_Moose]

@@crypticTV Much appreciate it 👏

[@binder946]

Thank you

[@jeffc1753]

So you just decided to quit not even a quarter of the way in?

[@bibibibi9457]

DW is No1 Leader globally in Documentary quality, subject matter & the Timing launched of all the Superb Documentaries produced-Many thanks to the creative professional team 👍💯😎

[@johnnyrife2427]

ha

[@christopherdranias6217]

Great documentary! Thank you. 🙏

[@DWDocumentary]

Thanks for watching! We're happy to hear you liked this documentary :)

[@anurankarati8350]

Excellent documentary. Want more on this shadowy world and spies

[@samuelyoung6272]

try annie jocaobsen, shes got a few books that deal with not only the tech but theres one book called "suprise, kill, vanish" and i think her latest book is called "last platoon" talks about how sensor tech and big data along with soft measures to manipulate things on societal levels. but your being curious, just like a cat..

[@crazeeborg]

DW has the best award winning documentaries on a wide range of topics.

[@DWDocumentary]

Thank you very much for your support!

[@jensenjunior7966]

The best documentary channel ever thanks

[@SeKeshtuMePelqen]

My favorite KZbin channel ⭐️

[@oregonghost3226]

look who's back. - pen and paper

[@josephmira18]

Awemazing documentary. It deepened our understanding about our world today. ♥🙏

[@montecristo8174]

Fantastic and very good documentary. The information provided here makes you want to just unplug completely from the internet, get rid of your mobile phone and never use a computer again. Thank you for this eye opening documentary.

[@lorenzostefa1441]

Amazing documentary...

[@judyswarren5410]

Great D.W.video Lots of interesting insights into dones.

[@judyswarren5410]

Thank-you so much

[@chrisbowen9043]

Gives everyone an idea just how sick & deranged our world has become.

[@Sirflyingmustache]

Incredibly brave of you to show the present of war and even how much we still don't know about it. Very relevant information in this documentary. I hope we can evolve away from war soon, and become a society who seek common good.

[@seetheanimal5867]

War is in part a result of and the process to reach a common good.

[@gypsyman1939]

It will never happen the two families that pretty much run the world are pure evil and strive off of dividing people and causing chaos. They harvest humans sell drugs and sex traffic. The people who really run these countries are our worst enemies

[@rothneygoodridge1415]

I believe focusing on space settlements is key to our evolution, otherwise we will ultimately self destruct competing over resources

[@Sirflyingmustache]

@@rothneygoodridge1415 Do you believe that or are you just repeating what elon musk want us to repeat so he get more money for their project? He didn't even made anything new about rockets, we still send the same kind of rockets we used 70 years ago. A big fking tube of gasoline. We should focus on automate food harvesting, automate product manufacturing, automate health industry, automate transport, harvest clean energy. These points are really really important. Go to space is a childish distraction, if the world is fucked up, billionares will hide in underground bunkers that look like burried 5 star hotel. Google that.

[@autohmae]

@@rothneygoodridge1415 I don't think you specifically need settlements, asteroid mining would be a way to this. They would need to operate similar to autonomous drones or like Mars rovers.

[@oliver665321]

Thanks again dw

[@LorenzoMarkovian]

DW, Thank you, Danke Schoen, Grazie Mille, Merci Beaucoup

[@elusivelight3766]

How ironic is it that the guy was watching a Documentary about Edward Snowden when the power went out.. 🤔 Fascinating documentary..

[@Rbva]

One thing they don't mention, likely for legal reasons, is that the Iranian Centrifuges were destroyed by such a simple piece of code. It would accelerate for half a rotation, then decelerate for the other half, to produce a wobble. The instability intensified and destroyed the centrifuges. Afaik they also used the human exploit for this hack as I've heard they got the exploit into the air-gapped network by dropping USB sticks in the parking lot or somewhere an employee would have found it. Then Viola! Curiosity destroyed your centrifuges!

[@joemanthei3251]

Thank u I was literally wondering this and would’ve forgot to search it. Very interesting

[@xxxneoxxx]

This was called stuxnet, it was designed to specifically target the modules that ran the centrifuges. Genius.

[@w.d.g.]

great video! Thank you!

[@wisdomest]

another insightful documentary Thanks to all.

[@DWDocumentary]

Thank you for watching!