Defense and security landscape are in constant change, driven by technological advancements and geopolitical factors. Hybrid conflict became a popular concept in military discussions and is already prevalent and widespread. Emerging and disruptive technologies have a major impact on existing technologies that disrupt or reverse traditional methods and practices, and can revolutionize government structures, economy, society, and international security. Some argue that such technologies will give rise to apocalyptic scenarios, and that their military applications have even greater potential than nuclear weapons to radically change the balance of power. Several technological solutions, like commercial drones or Internet applications, are “on the shelf”, accessible at low costs to non-state groups or actors, and therefore typically used in hybrid conflicts. As we look to future international security landscape, whether dominated by globalized non-state actors or by states engaged in permanent regional conflicts in areas of strategic interest, new competitors, new science, and new technology will emerge. Future discoveries can significantly alter military capabilities and impact international relations and the global balance of power. Decisions and political choices made today influence science and technology, with an impact on the future ability to respond to such challenges. In this context, the research scrutinizes the changing strategic environment and the impact of science and technology on how military operations will be planned and conducted in the future across the full spectrum, i.e., in all the dimensions/domains, and the role of the special forces. Technologies, such as artificial intelligence, have grabbed widespread attention, not only among political and military leaders, but also in the media and in the broader audience. Other technologies are less popular but may have a significant impact in the future. Dual-use technologies, solutions that can be used for both civilian and military applications, regardless of the primary use for which they were conceived –missile technology, nuclear energy, Internet, the global positioning system (GPS), unmanned and autonomous systems, artificial intelligence, machine learning, directed energy weapons, immersive reality enhanced by the metaverse itself, just to name a few – will play a pivotal role in strategic issues. Shaped by technology advancements, the metaverse emerges as an opportunity and a challenge, raising serious questions about its use and regulation. Starting from a comparative analysis of the major doctrines and policies, in the context the political and military alliances Italy is affiliated with, the essay examines all the elements relevant to the research topic, including technological issues, and aims to provide a meaningful perspective for the strategic choices for the next decades.

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difesa,sicurezza,geopolitica,tecnologia,metaverso,spazio,cyber,relazioni internazionali,scienza,strategia,dottrina,militari,etica,morale,diritto internazionale,virtuale,armi,guerra ibrida,guerra cognitiva

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