The Future of Warfare The latest revolution in warfare is based on the application of information technology to weapons. It involves gathering huge amounts of data processing them so that relevant information is displayed on a screen and then destroying targets, at much greater distance and with much greater accuracy than was previously possible. These changes favor attacks rather than defense: large, easy-to-hit objects—whether military bases, ship, tanks or concentration of troops—are increasingly vulnerable to weapons such as cruise missiles steered by satellite beams. All this is bad news for America's potential foes. Russia, a once and perhaps future rival, has neither the money nor the know-how to imitate the latest American advances. Other countries with more cash to spare aspire to master enough of the new technology to challenge American power locally. China, for instance, is plainly flexing its muscles in Asia. Iran wants to develop cruise missiles to allow it to keep other countries' ships away from the Gulf. But the American's mastery of the new warfare will make it increasingly foolish to make them on a high-intensity shooting war, as Saddam Hussein did. So if anyone wants to have a go at Uncle Sam, he will probably do so by other methods, such as ballistic missiles, biological weapons or terrorism. The revolution also has implications for America's friends. By increasing American might, it may encourage the country's unilateralist element to think it can win wars without having to work with troublesome partners. In any event, working with allies will probably become more bothersome: their low-tech armies may be incapable of plugging into American information networks. Moreover, given the increasing vulnerability of military bases to missile attack, America may wish to withdraw its soldiers from Europe and Asia. When necessary, I will be able to strike its enemies with long-range weapons and more intervention forces. According to the passage, the advantage of using information technology in warfare lies in ______.