The laser is an auxiliary tool on the modern battlefield, used either as a weapon—such as a high-power laser—or as a supporting means, such as a target designator or range finder. One of the most prominent uses of lasers is as a type of sensor, or a kind of sensitive radar, for detecting stationary or moving objects and for highly accurate area mapping, in a system known as LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging).
Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and, to a more limited extent, Qatar bet on artificial intelligence as capable of replacing oil and gas in the future as a source of economic growth, regime stability, global power, and security relevance. By establishing computing infrastructure, forming partnerships with global technology giants, and developing large-scale human capital, the Gulf states aspire to control a significant share of global AI production and deployment alongside the major powers while acquiring independent...
The conclusions of the National Committee for Accelerating the Field of Artificial Intelligence, chaired by Prof. Yaakov Nagel, which were published recently, proposed a wide-ranging vision for the role of artificial intelligence in the State of Israel. The report’s conclusions and recommendations carry significant economic costs and have led to extensive public criticism. A closer look at the recommendations—particularly those with significant costs—raises concerns that the Nagel Committee chose to focus on acquiring status symbols...
The world of artificial intelligence increasingly relies on large language models and chatbot applications. Through them, end users—from private individuals to government agencies—collect, generate, and consume most of the knowledge needed to manage their daily lives. Advanced nations are investing in building national language models that embody their culture, values, and national narratives. Israel has not yet developed such a model and must therefore rely on foreign systems and the narratives embedded within them. Just as the...
Electromagnetic bombs (EMBs) are weapons based on electromagnetic radiation in the microwave spectrum, with destructive potential against electronic systems including communications, control systems, computers, and electrical systems, up to the point of paralyzing security, economic, and health infrastructures. EMBs have inherent advantages: They operate at the speed of light, are easy to use, cover wide target ranges, and function under all environmental and weather conditions. There are several types of EMBs, and they can be...
The confrontation states and the terrorist organizations facing Israel are arming themselves with massive quantities of loitering munitions. Their low cost and ease of use make them a significant, clear, and immediate threat—especially when launched in swarms. Addressing this challenge will require substantial investment to improve detection and neutralization capabilities. This threat analysis concludes with recommendations for countering this threat.
The cloud market in the Middle East is emerging as a battleground in the global struggle for technological influence, where the United States and China are competing for control over digital infrastructure, the setting of technological standards, and the shaping of the rules that will govern the flow of information and data. China’s technological expansion in the region may gradually pose increasing challenges for Israel—necessitating the development of a strategic and technological policy to safeguard Israeli interests amid evolving...
Intercepting missiles and rockets at the earliest stage of their launch is an offensive action with a distinctly defensive character. Its goal is to prevent direct or collateral damage in the attacked state while inflicting maximum harm on the aggressor. For Israel, this interception method has a compounded advantage due to its small size, the threats posed by Iran and its proxies in both the near and far “ring of fire,” and the high potential for damage from strikes on civilian and military infrastructure. This article reviews the...
The global race for artificial intelligence (AI) supremacy is accelerating, and China’s latest move—the launch of the DeepSeek AI model—has sent shockwaves around the world. The technology industry, stock markets, academia, and governments are all evaluating whether this Chinese engineering breakthrough could also shift the geopolitical balance. In light of the challenges facing Israel’s National AI Program, the true efficiency and cost of this new Chinese model are examined against the officially published figures. The key takeaway...
Given Hezbollah’s increasing success in the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and the IDF’s limited success in intercepting them, we must ask whether the Israeli military is prepared to deal with a similar threat from unmanned systems in the maritime theater. Terrorist organizations like Hamas and the Houthis have started using these systems, which has created a new challenge for states and other international bodies. Currently, unmanned maritime systems (UMSs) are primarily used to protect ports, to SSW (subsea warfare), to...
Since the beginning of the Swords of Iron operation, Hezbollah has been using drones for intelligence gathering and launching attacks against Israel. Daily attacks using explosive drones have also become frequent, as well as rocket and anti-tank missile barrages and rotary drones. While some drones have been intercepted, many have breached Israeli defenses, causing casualties and property damage. Hezbollah mainly uses Iranian suicide drones and recently employed a missile-carrying drone for the first time, against Israel....
The ideas behind quantum computing were first proposed in the 1980s, but their accelerated development in the last decade heralds the beginning of a new scientific and technological revolution. This is because quantum computing comprises a breakthrough in a field in which “regular“ computing has almost reached its physical limits. The computational power of a digital computer depends on the number of chips per unit of area, but this number is limited for technological and physical reasons. The computer and chip industries are pushing...
