Emerging Technologies in Modern Warfare: A Shift Towards Cognitive and Environmental Strategies

Western defense analysts are cautioning that the world is entering an unprecedented phase of technological warfare that extends beyond conventional battlefields to target secretive domains affecting the human brain, climate, and artificial intelligence frameworks. While attention is often directed towards drones and advanced aircraft, more perilous technologies are reportedly being developed in military laboratories, according to a report by the French magazine Le Point.



1. Warfare Targeting the Mind: Direct Manipulation of the Brain

The magazine highlights the growing capabilities of so-called "cognitive warfare," where technologies are employed to remotely influence the opponent's brain using methods such as microwaves, scents, physiological substances, and low-frequency sounds.

A senior official from the French Ministry of Defense stated:
"Deceiving the enemy's brain will be crucial for future wars. We can create our own nightmares."

Estimates suggest that it may be possible to incapacitate an entire submarine crew without a single shot being fired, making these technologies some of the most dangerous tools in unconventional conflicts.



2. Disrupting Global Trade Routes

With 90% of international trade conducted via maritime routes, there is increasing concern about attacks on these transport pathways using simple yet effective means such as surface and underwater drones.

International risk expert Stéphane Audrand emphasizes:
"It is not necessary to sink ships; maintaining a constant threat is sufficient."

The magazine explains that low-cost drones could soon be capable of disrupting large cargo ships, while the French Navy trains to respond to swarms of these drones "day and night without warning."



3. Climate Weapons: Drowning the Enemy and Blocking the Sun

Climate engineering technology, once a Soviet dream, has evolved and could transform into sensitive military tools, including:

Cloud seeding to flood specific areas.

Spraying aerosols in the upper atmosphere to block sunlight.

Brightening clouds to disrupt satellite operations.

Thinning high clouds to raise temperatures in targeted regions.



The report describes these technologies as capable of creating "catastrophic, mythical scenarios."



4. Poisoning Artificial Intelligence: A Silent Threat to Intelligent Systems

Experts warn that poisoning data and foundational software for artificial intelligence could lead to a complete breakdown of military systems.

A European expert explains:
"If learning networks are contaminated with digital toxins, the artificial intelligence will self-destruct."

Researcher Olivier Blazy adds that a simple manipulation could cause an intelligent model to classify one country as a friend and another as an enemy, referencing past incidents such as the 1991 Patriot missile error that resulted in the deaths of 28 American soldiers.


Silent Warfare

The report concludes that future conflicts will take place in silent realms: within the human brain, above atmospheric layers, and deep within programming codes, as military engineers reportedly "create their own nightmares."