AI and Indian Defense: Enhancing National Security Through Innovation

Vivek N.D.

Source Link

In an era marked by rapid technological advancements, artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a cornerstone in the evolution of military capabilities worldwide. For India, a nation facing complex security challenges, AI is not merely a tool; it is a transformative force shaping the future of its defense landscape. The Indian government recognizes this potential, reflected in its strategic investments and initiatives aimed at integrating AI into the armed forces.

Current Developments in AI Integration

The Indian military has made significant strides in incorporating AI across its three branches: the Army, Air Force, and Navy. A pivotal moment came with the launch of 75 AI-enabled products during the first-ever AI in Defense symposium in July 2022, showcasing innovations in automation, autonomous systems, cybersecurity, and operational analytics. This event underscored the commitment of the Ministry of Defense (MoD) to leverage cutting-edge technologies to enhance national security.

The Department of Defense Production has earmarked approximately $12.6 million annually for AI projects. The establishment of an AI center at the Military College of Telecommunication Engineering in Mhow, now called Dr. Ambedkar Nagar town, Madhya Pradesh, exemplifies the proactive approach being taken. The Indian Army established the AI center with over 140 deployments, supported by industry and academia, and is enhancing its capabilities in cyber warfare through advanced training facilities.

Canada's Jihadi Crisis Should Worry America | Opinion

Casey Babb

Source Link

People often think of Canadians as overly polite, and as a people with a predilection for saying "sorry" too much. But what about Canadian-grown terrorism, extremism, or antisemitism?

Since the terrorist attacks in Israel on Oct. 7, Canada has become a hotbed of radicalization, fanaticism, and jihadism. As un-Canadian as it sounds, Canada has a terrorism crisis on its hands and that should worry the United States for a whole host of reasons.

Acts of radical Islamic terrorism in Canada are not a new phenomenon. Examples include, the al-Qaeda-inspired "Toronto 18" plot in 2006, the planned attack of Canada's national railway service in 2013, the shootings on Parliament Hill in 2014, and a foiled ISIS-inspired attack in 2016, among others. All told, Canada has experienced its fair share of jihadist activities, but things are getting worse—a hell of a lot worse—and fast.

In the last 11 months there have been at least eight Islamic terrorism-related incidents in Canada or that involved Canadians abroad. These include—a father-son duo planning a violent attack in Toronto, two Ottawa youths plotting to attack the city's Jewish community, and the arrest of a Pakistani man studying in Toronto planning an ISIS-inspired attack against Jews in New York.

The High Cost of Excluding Chinese Technology

MICHAEL SPENCE

Source Link

China is making sure it is ready for the transition to a sustainable economy. By investing heavily in green technologies and leveraging its massive domestic market, the country has been able to lower the costs and increase the supply of the products it needs, and to drive green innovation. But China’s progress might not benefit the rest of the world nearly as much as it could.

Why Did China Test-fire an ICBM Into the South Pacific?

Denny Roy

Source Link

A brief statement by the Ministry of National Defense in Beijing called China’s September 25 test launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) into the South Pacific Ocean near Tahiti “routine.” That description is cynical in its dishonesty. China’s actual “routine” is to test its missiles within or near its territory, such as Xinjiang or the Bohai Sea. The last time China fired a missile into international waters was in 1980.

The Defense Ministry’s statement also said the test launch was “not directed against any country or target.” That’s possible. Beijing’s motivation for this test launch might not have been the desire to send a political signal, but rather a need for technical data.

Testing is a normal and necessary part of missile development. The United States, for example, test-launched two unarmed ICBMs from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California in June. Perhaps Chinese missile engineers wanted to see how the missile performed on a depressed trajectory over a long distance, and firing it into the South Pacific Ocean was the most convenient direction in terms of deploying data collection assets and avoiding some other country’s national territory. That would be a simple explanation for why the Chinese government denied that the test had political significance.

Russia is about to face the moment of truth on an economic lifeline from China

Jason Ma

Source Link

China's yuan is the most traded foreign currency in Russia, but its availability in the heavily sanctioned country may soon dry up.

That would threaten a critical lifeline for Russian businesses, which became heavily reliant on the yuan as trade with China ramped up after President Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The war triggered Western sanctions that largely shut out Russia from the global financial system.

In June, the U.S. expanded its sanctions, forcing the Moscow Exchange and its clearing agent to halt trading in dollars and euros. A Treasury Department license that allows time for some transactions to wind down will expire on Oct. 12.

While Russia had already shifted away from Western currencies in favor of the yuan, the additional U.S. sanctions could have spillover effects on Chinese banks that engage in yuan transactions with Russia.

"The situation may change after Oct. 12," a source told Reuters. "An abrupt shortage of yuan or a complete refusal to accept payments from Russia by Chinese banks is possible."

The Lessons and Legacy of October 7

RICHARD HAASS

Source Link

One year ago, Hamas killed some 1,200 people – overwhelmingly civilians – in Israel and took more than 250 hostage. Since then, Israel has reduced much of Gaza to rubble; more than 40,000 of its inhabitants reportedly have been killed, a figure that includes 10,000-20,000 Hamas militants. Over 700 Israeli soldiers have lost their lives fighting Hamas and other Iranian-backed proxies.