Former IAF chief Norkin: Israel must turn its tech edge into strategic alliances

Former IAF chief Amikam Norkin says Israel must use its technological edge to build strategic alliances after President Trump announced an end to $4 billion in annual US military aid. Norkin spoke at the launch of MIND Israel's geo-technology center, calling for a dedicated body for technological diplomacy.

Former Israel Air Force commander Maj.-Gen. (res.) Amikam Norkin warned that Israel must leverage its technological capabilities to forge international partnerships and reduce vulnerability to geopolitical shifts, following President Donald Trump's announcement that Washington will end approximately $4 billion in annual military aid by the end of the year. Norkin spoke at the launch of the MIND Israel research institute's geo-technology center, which aims to connect technological capabilities with geopolitical strategy. He described Israel's tech assets as "cards in the strategic deck" that can create diplomatic leverage, and called for a dedicated body within the National AI Directorate to lead technological diplomacy. The event also featured a partnership with the American SCSP institute, headed by former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, focusing on six strategic technology areas. The article quotes Norkin, MIND board chairman Pini Cohen, venture capitalist Yodfat Harel Buchris, and MIND vice president Dr. Avner Golov, but does not include voices from the Israeli government or US administration.