The Terrifying Political Hypothesis
In an opinion article, writer Walid Abdul-Hayy proposes the hypothesis that technological development may enable armed organizations to possess weapons of mass destruction, allowing them to blackmail states. He relies on indicators such as the spread of knowledge, declining costs, and the growing capabilities of these organizations, and discusses the implications for major powers.
In an opinion article by Prof. Dr. Walid Abdul-Hayy, the writer presents a 'terrifying' future hypothesis that technological development, especially in the military field, may enable armed political organizations to possess weapons of mass destruction (nuclear, biological, or chemical), making them capable of blackmailing states. The writer relies on five indicators: the commonality of scientific and engineering knowledge, the declining cost of advanced technology, developments in biotechnology, the growing capabilities of armed organizations, and the collapse of some states. He notes that major powers sense this possibility, which could lead to outcomes including the end of the state's monopoly on the means of violence, complicating the deterrence of organizations, increasing security spending, expanding oversight of universities, reducing army sizes, and economic disruptions. The writer also discusses the concept of 'democratization of violence' coined by researcher Barry Kellman, and the shift of organizations from the concept of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) to the concept of (CBRN), which includes chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear materials. The article concludes with questions about how Israel and the region's countries might deal with this potential challenge.