Over the past decade or so, the weapons, channels and terrain of conflict have radically changed. Drones, autonomous weapons systems, algorithmic target selection, information offensives, cyberwar and anti-satellite weapons have become the swords, shields and battlefields of modern war, mesmerising the media and terrifying people around the world.
In Gaza, the Israel Defense Forces have deployed AI targeting systems. One, called “Lavender”, is used to identify Hamas operatives; another, “Where’s Daddy?” follows them to their homes where they can be attacked.
In Israel, the vaunted Iron Dome missile defence system has been punctured by Iranian missiles, some equipped with hypersonic glide vehicles that travel at five times the speed of sound and are capable of complex evasive manoeuvres.
