The enormous intelligence and security apparatus of a nation like the United States must add to its territory the realm of intellectual property. We need think tanks just as much as we need steel mills. Both should be defended. It's a lot easier to keep score in a traditional battle. When you can measure territory captured, casualties inflicted, objectives achieved.
Technological war is carried out quietly, for the purpose of stealing secrets.
A silent struggle over intangibles which is hard to defend and easy to ignore. The time for taking over the world with armies and bullets is over. The nations with the ability no longer have the desire. Taking over the world in the future will mean production, wealth, standard of living. Nations will continue to strive for control even if they don't use high explosives.