WEAPONISING EDUCATION

IN TODAY’S HYPER-COMPETITIVE world, everything is being “weaponised”. Enemy countries, even nations that are merely rivals, fight each other not with the weapons of yore, but a whole array of different and new ones.

- Kiran Karnik

Apocalyptic nuclear bombs have cousins in radio-logical weapons, which can cause death by radiation, and electromagnetic pulses (EMP) that can destroy electronic circuitry. Anti-satellite weapons – through kinetic force or EMP – can disable vital space assets, like military and civilian satellites. Biology has been weaponised through viruses that can kill millions (Covid-19 might possibly be one such). Software viruses disrupt computer systems leading to data theft, shut-downs, financial mayhem, or even physical disasters.

Amidst this sophisticated and advanced weaponry, there are rare contrary instances in which quarrelling countries have gone back in time. The most recent and striking example is the India-China clash in Galwan (Ladakh) in 2020. Two powerful countries, with the largest armies in the world, having the latest weapons in their armouries (including nuclear bombs), reverted back to medieval times and attacked each other with sticks and stones! Despite India’s restraint, China – through its attempts to grab territory through its “salami-slicing” tactics – has violated many past agreements and protocols between the two countries. However, in this case, its army did actually respect the “no guns” one.

ATTACKING THE ECONOMY