An interesting step appears to be forming in the conflict escalation ladder, with unmanned platforms apparently being considered fair targets for aggressors seeking to up the conflict ante but still falling short of engaging in a gloves-off contest with a would-be rival. This scenario is, of course, in direct reference to Tehran's decision to shoot down a US Global Hawk surveillance UAV in June this year, a course of action that saw Washington's retaliatory military action aborted in the final hour due to expected human casualties in Iran.
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