Artificial intelligence (Al) is a general name for data-based computer systems that are capable of producing knowledge and new insights through abilities, such as understanding, reasoning, and perception, which until now have been perceived as uniquely human abilities. Experts estimate that Al will change our lives beyond recognition, when it takes control of a variety of familiar actions and enables a wide range of new capabilities and applications. This technology has already affected many areas, including national security. Many...
The strategic assessment for Israel for 2021 is shaped by significant uncertainty in three principal areas: the level of success in coping with COVID-19; the modus operandi and policies of the new administration in the United States; and the political developments in Israel. The current assessment is based on a broader conception of national security, which places greater weight than in the past on the domestic arena and on threats to internal stability, social cohesion, values, and fabric of life. This of course does not detract...
With the world already moving to a digital environment, digitalization processes accelerated during the COVID-19 crisis, along with increased dependence of the economy and individuals on centralized computer services. As such, the physical world has become more vulnerable and sensitive than in the past to glitches or malicious attacks. Indeed, a rise in the extent and variety of hostile cyber activity is evident. Accordingly, the challenge of protecting both national and civilian cyberspace has grown.
At the start of 2021, it is already clear that technology wields major influence in the international arena, particularly in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Technology is a central axis in research on the pandemic and in attempts to develop vaccines and medicines; it has enhanced the ability to continue to provide various civil services and enabled workplace activity despite social distancing. In the past year, many of these functions proved to be related to national security, due to their impact on the functional continuity...
The strategic assessment for Israel for 2021 is shaped by significant uncertainty in three principal areas: the level of success in coping with COVID-19; the modus operandi and policies of the new administration in the United States; and the political developments in Israel. The current assessment is based on a broader conception of national security, which places greater weight than in the past on the domestic arena and on threats to internal stability, social cohesion, values, and fabric of life. This of course does not detract...
The State of Israel’s strategic balance in 2020 is the basis for the policy recommendations for the coming year. In implementing these recommendations, it is important to emphasize the State of Israel’s overarching objectives: to strengthen Israel as a Jewish, democratic, secure, prosperous, and just state that is at peace with its neighbors. These objectives define Israel’s purpose, both in the eyes of the Israeli public and in the eyes of the international community.
The State of Israel’s strategic efforts and...
The United States Director of National Intelligence recently cast China as the number one threat to the US, described Beijing’s modus operandi, and called on Washington’s allies to wake up to the challenge and respond appropriately. For its part, Israel should enhance its intelligence resources dedicated to China and develop an independent and well-founded estimate of the challenges it presents to Israel, drawing on lessons learned around the world; identify gaps in Israel’s current response; strengthen the risk management...
In September 2020 the fifth generation communications network (5G) was launched in Israel based on Western infrastructures, with no Chinese infrastructure. With that development, Israel effectively joined the United States Clean Network program. A Chinese initiative, launched in response to the US program, shows that there are signs in the international system of a trend toward technological decoupling, which is expected to have strategic consequences – political, economic, and technological. Israel would do well to identify the...
Concern that a president could be elected in part due to the influence of a foreign country has made combating such intervention in the campaign a top priority for the American intelligence community. However, the specific counterintelligence challenge is difficult and politically sensitive. One of the ways that the US intelligence community has chosen to deal with this danger is by increasing the public’s awareness of foreign attempts to exert influence. As part of this effort, announcements have been issued citing certain...
On July 30, 2020, the European Union decided to impose restrictive measures on nine individuals and entities from China, North Korea, and Russia for their responsibility or involvement in cyberattacks. The sanctions include a travel ban, asset freeze, and prohibition to make funds available to these individuals and entities. On the political level, it seems that Western countries have managed, despite other differences, to demonstrate a coordinated approach in this field and act in cooperation. From the perspective of international...
In August 2020 President Trump signed an order banning US companies from conducting transactions with the companies ByteDance and Tencent, the owners of the popular apps TikTok and WeChat, respectively. This is a further step in the deepening struggle between the United States and China, which for the first time is spilling into the field of apps; until now the US administration has refrained from intervening in this area. Israel must review its stance in light of the Clean Network program, launched by the US as part of a Western...
A report by the Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament sheds light on Britain’s efforts to resist Russian attempts to weaken Britain, part of Russia’s goal to undermine the status of Western democracies and widen social rifts within them. According to the report, Britain has not handled the threat well, due to lapses in the strategy it adopted when confronting the challenge and problems with its implementation. These can be attributed to gaps in the regulation of relations between the various responsible bodies, the low...
