Advanced Technologies and National Security

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).

How are the Gulf states working to take control of the AI field—and how does this affect Israel?

A close examination of the recommendations of the National Committee for Accelerating the Field of Artificial Intelligence raises concern that the committee chose to focus on achieving a status symbol that signals leadership in the field, rather than on steps that would advance the realization of its vision

The Chinese government recently announced that rare minerals are a national asset, and that organizations and individuals are prohibited from taking control of such resources. The announcement was accompanied by the introduction of a program to track and control all the rare mineral resources at China’s disposal, including their production, processing and export. The announcement links to the fact that the Chinese regime, which is striving for political and financial dominance largely because of its internal needs but also due to its global vision, has identified the decisive importance of the market for metals and minerals—including nickel, copper, cobalt, magnesium, rare earths metals and rare ores and as well as others —for both the Chinese and the global economy, and as an engine of growth in the twenty-first century. The importance of minerals, including rare earth elements, lies primarily in their uses for green energy, the electric vehicle industry, electronic products, medicine, lasers, optical fibers, magnets in the motor industry, various aspects of the security industry, and the global microchip industry. These minerals are the building blocks for all branches of modern industry, and therefore control of their chain of supply is essential for the economic development of China itself, as well as a means to position China as an important player in the global economy, with considerable capabilities that can be leveraged for political influence. Over the past thirty years, China has made huge investments in mines and plants that process and refine critical minerals in Africa, and in some markets it has absolute dominance, up to 90 percent in the case of certain products. This fact has economic and political implications, particularly for China’s relations with the United States, and with countries in Africa, Europe, Asia and Southeast Asia. Israel’s knowledge-intensive industries (hi-tech) and its security industry must limit their exposure to the risk of a global shortage or political or economic restrictions on the imports of special critical minerals, by developing confidential contacts and partnerships in countries with the relevant natural resources in Europe and in Africa.