Arms dealers are beginning to add chemical and nuclear weapons and production facilities to their catalogues and could offer after-sales services as well. We are accustomed to associating religiously motivated terrorism with the Middle East. It would not be surprising to see covert tactics used increasingly by religious, ecological and pacifist organisations, as well as by the more conventional liberation fronts. Traditional forms of warfare are limited to 'outbreaks' - singularities in space and time of violence which could now be so extreme as to be suicidal for all. But opportunities for covert tactics and the needs and means to use them are developing continually.
Covert tactics can be precise, effective, rewarding, cheap.
Good use can be made of surprise, bluff, timing and the adversaries' weakest points. They can be used to pre-empt situations in which overt aggressive interaction might seem justified. But it is wise not to be naive. The earth's population, which was just over one billion at the beginning of this century is expected to pass six when it ends, and to continue to grow exponentially. Generalised economic collapse may be imminent.