Modern Warfare Has Shifted to a Continuum Beyond Conventional Conflict

UPDATED: Sep 7, 2026 21:32 ISTModern warfare has transitioned from isolated events into an ongoing continuum, blurring the lines between peace, conventional conflict, and grey-zone competition. Challenges such as economic pressure, cyber activity, information operations, and proxy actions now occur without crossing conventional conflict thresholds. Meanwhile, the democratisation of technology, including low-cost drones and networked intelligence, allows non-state actors access to advanced capabilities. The compression of the sensor-to-shooter cycle from hours to minutes and seconds demands rapid sensing, comprehension, and execution. Leveraging artificial intelligence, robust data infrastructure, and algorithmic processing is essential to secure decision superiority and maintain operational advantage on transparent battlefields. Read MoreVIDEOS FROM OTHER SECTIONSLATEST VIDEOSIndia Overcomes Reactive Panipat Syndrome With Proactive Defence PolicyIndia has transitioned from a historically reactive defence posture, previously termed the Panipat syndrome, to a proactive national security framework. The nation gained entry into the Missile Technology Control Regime in 2016, enabling the extended operational range of BrahMos missiles. Indigenous defence production has expanded from approximately Rs 40,000 crore under the previous administration to Rs 1.80 lakh crore, alongside defence exports reaching Rs 38,500 crore across more than 100 nations. Modern military hardware inducted includes the Akashteer air defence control system, Pinaka rocket launchers, Astra missiles, Tejas fighter jets, and the aircraft carrier INS Vikrant. The national defence budget increased from Rs 2.5 lakh crore to nearly Rs 8 lakh crore over the past twelve years, while border infrastructure funding grew by 400 percent. In addition, initiatives such as the repeal of Article 370 and multilateral leadership in the International Solar Alliance, G7 dialogues, and the G20 New Delhi Leaders Declaration reflect expanding strategic and civilisational influence globally.'Delhi Pollution A Long-Term Challenge, Need Solutions': Sandeep Sharma On Clean TechSpeaking about air pollution, Sandeep Sharma, Business Head at Zero Carbon Tech 24 Private Limited, highlighted that Delhi's air pollution is a "long term environmental challenge" rather than a seasonal problem. Addressing multiple pollution sources including vehicular emissions, road dust, construction, and industries, Sharma emphasised the need for scalable and sustainable Made in India technologies. He presented patented filterless, self-cleaning, IoT-enabled dust and smoke capturing devices, including the STR 101 streetlight model, the DVR 101 road divider model, and the Thor 101 industrial unit designed for heavy emitters like cement, pharma, steel, and aluminium plants. Sharma explained that these low-power devices can process millions of litres of air hourly without maintenance filters. He noted that deployments across Delhi, Odisha, and Meghalaya achieved an average 40 to 45 per cent reduction in PM2.5 and PM10 levels. Sharma also commended India Today's campaign for fostering collaboration between industries, policymakers, and citizens to drive measurable environmental solutions.Statecraft With Geeta Mohan: Is Europe Taking Its Gold Away From Trump’s America?Is Europe quietly taking its gold away from America under Donald Trump? The Netherlands has moved around 86 tonnes of gold away from North America, with a significant share now held in London. Officially, the Dutch central bank says the move is about crisis preparedness, improving the tradability of its reserves and reducing concentration risk. But the timing has raised bigger questions about Europe’s trust in the United States.Delhi Satya Niketan Building Collapse: 7 Dead, 5 MCD Officials Suspended, Student Unions ProtestA building collapse in Delhi's Satya Niketan resulted in the deaths of seven people, leading to the suspension of five Municipal Corporation of Delhi officials. Following the incident, a magisterial inquiry was initiated, a police FIR was registered, and three people—including the building owner, his wife, and son—were detained. Student organisations, including AISA, SFS, ABVP, and NSUI, organised protests and candle marches ahead of the DUSU elections, demanding administrative accountability for student safety and highlighting civic negligence across student accommodation hubs.