The pager explosions that targeted Hezbollah members in Lebanon are believed to be the handiwork of Israel. This is because a sophisticated intelligence operation of this kind is only within Israel’s capability. Not even the secret services of the US, Russia or China can come up with such a devious way to target an enemy force or have the capacity to carry it through. The attack not just took out nine Hezbollah cadre but also injured over two thousand eight hundred others. With this, a deadly was message sent out to the Iran backed militia. Plus, the Israelis now specifically know the identity of each member of the force. It has served as a big blow to the ability of the Hezbollah to carry out attacks against Israel; and will have created fear amongst the cadre about what else can be done to them.
While the attack’s concept was unique, it also required the necessary technology to carry it through. It signifies the way things will proceed in the coming years. There will come a day not so long from now that a small-time nuclear power like Pakistan may press the button on its missiles, but nothing will happen. More than ever before, knowledge today is power. All those societies that wish to be prepared for the future will have to focus on enhancing this ability.
Technological advancement will not come just by wishing it. The ability to think out of the box, be innovative and have the required skills at one’s command are necessary. The human resources capable of doing so will be developed by focusing strongly on education based on a real assessment of what is needed to survive in today’s world. India is on the cusp of becoming a technological power, not so much because of government policies but despite them. The problem has been that, of the human resources churned out by the system, much is rooted in the requirements of an outdated past. For decades, India has been suffering from a brain drain that has denied it the services of some of its best and brightest. The few that remain to serve the nation are hampered by the cumbersome system perpetuated by unimaginative leadership. In a highly competitive world, there is little space for complacency and make-believe. Entire civilisations have been destroyed in the past merely because they lost on the battlefield to invaders who had a slight advantage in the quality of arms they used. As always, the fittest and most able to adapt will survive.
