ABSTRACT
The importance of advanced information and communication technologies for national security is not just about information and communication technologies and the capabilities that they provide. The chapter discusses exploring the meaning of national security. Confusion over the definition of national security sometimes leads to disputes over policy issues that could have been avoided. The chapter explores some of the impacts that advanced information and communication technologies may be expected to have on human affairs. These impacts are fundamental to understanding what the strategic environment of the Information Age may look like and to understanding how national security affairs may change. The chapter discusses impacts that advanced information and communication technologies may have on military capabilities and the strategic environment. It presents one view of what the strategic environment of the Information Age may look like. This discussion is premised on the belief that present national security decisions will help shape the future strategic environment.
