Emerging Technologies Redefine Global Conflicts

Western defense experts have warned that the world is entering an unprecedented phase of technological warfare, shifting from traditional battlefields to covert arenas targeting the human mind, climate, and the software infrastructures of artificial intelligence. While attention is focused on drones and advanced aircraft, even more dangerous technologies are reportedly being developed in military laboratories, according to a report from Le Point.



1. Mind Warfare: Directly Targeting the Brain

The magazine reports that the capabilities of what is termed "cognitive warfare" are rapidly increasing, employing techniques designed to influence an adversary's brain from a distance through methods such as microwaves, scents, physiological substances, and low-frequency sounds.

A senior official from the French Ministry of Armed Forces stated, "Deceiving the enemy's brain will be central in future wars... We are now capable of creating our own nightmares."

Estimates suggest it may be possible to incapacitate an entire submarine crew without firing a single shot, making these techniques some of the most dangerous unconventional conflict tools.



2. Disrupting Global Trade Routes

With 90% of international trade conducted via sea, concerns are growing over the targeting of maritime transport lines using simple yet effective tools like surface and underwater drones.

International risk specialist Stéphane Audrand remarked, "It is not necessary to sink ships... maintaining a constant threat is sufficient."

The magazine notes that inexpensive 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 and without warning."



3. Climate Weapons: Flooding the Enemy and Blocking Sunlight

Climate engineering, once a Soviet dream, has become more advanced and could evolve into sensitive military tools, including:

- Cloud seeding to flood specific areas.
- Aerosol dispersal in the upper atmosphere to block sunlight.
- Whitening clouds to disable satellites.
- Thinning high clouds to increase heat in targeted regions.

The report describes these techniques as capable of creating "legendary-like disasters."



4. AI Poisoning: A Silent Threat to Intelligent Systems

Experts warn that poisoning the data and foundational software of artificial intelligence could lead to a complete collapse of military capabilities.

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

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


Future Wars Without Sound

The report concludes that future wars will unfold in silent realms: within the human brain, above the atmospheric layers, and deep within software codes, as military engineers—according to the magazine—"create their nightmares with their own hands."