by Uzi Eilam
The director general opened with no preliminaries. “Let’s get straight to the point. And first of all, I want you to clarify the status of the topics you’re dealing with in Singapore. You went there without obtaining any export permits, or so I heard from the Defense Export Controls Agency.”
“That’s true,” Gideon replied quickly. “But everything started with a completely civilian project dealing with IOT. Before we left for Singapore, we verified that there was no need for export permits.”
“Dr. Ben Ari is right about the beginning of his visit in Singapore,” the head of the Information Security Department intervened. “But our friends in Singapore tell us that for the last two weeks, he’s been heavily involved in defense topics. The head of ADWTI should correct me if I’m wrong, but defense-related technological export requires authorization.”
“Gideon, my friend…” The director general addressed him without raising his voice. “I heard from Yitzhak Nahari about the turn your activity in Singapore has taken. Yitzhak recommended agreeing to Singapore’s request and adding you to the defense efforts against the terrorist attacks threatening them. But we have to put things in order, and I hope you take care of the official procedures with our people before returning to Singapore. Once our meeting is over, please sit down with the head of Export Control—as well as ADWTI and the Defense Aid Branch’s people—to resolve this issue.
“And now, Gideon, let’s hear what’s happening in Singapore on the topic of terrorist attacks. I believe it’s of the ultimate importance to help Singapore prevent hostile attacks that might cause severe harm to its economy. This is something we’re committed to as an allied country. It’s in our best interests to protect Singapore, which is a client of our industries. Every time Singapore is harmed, our industries are harmed as well.”
“Singapore wouldn’t raise the alarm if the threats merely involved explosive charges. I’m sure you know that a special task force has been established to defend against the attacks, which are originating in Kuala Lumpur. We’ve been invited to join the team, which allowed Dan Avni to create a good network for collecting information. The Americans, who—as you know, Director General—are also taking part in this defense activity, have instructed NSA personnel at their Singapore embassy to help us. Dan Avni is in close contact with them.”
“I have to point out again, Director General,” the head of the Information Security Department cried out, “this is a dangerous security breach! We can’t allow Dan to pass on sensitive technological information with no supervision.”
“Caution is indeed required here,” the director general agreed. “Discuss this topic later, during your meeting with Gideon, and set up some guidelines to maintain caution.”
“With the means at Dan’s disposal,” Gideon continued, “and with the help of the electronics industry in Singapore, he designed a system that can monitor and analyze what’s being planned in Kuala Lumpur. We don’t have any information on what’s going on between Tehran and Kuala Lumpur. Our information about the ‘China connection’ is limited, even when using intelligence experts in Singapore for whom Chinese is a mother tongue. Dan found more than mere intimations of a plan that combines smuggling people and weaponry, attacks based on the use of explosives, and a diverse, ominous array of planned cyber attacks targeting Singapore’s national infrastructures. Dan gave me a long list of questions that the Singaporean experts couldn’t answer. He also has some questions that the American experts claim that they’re not authorized to answer due to the sensitivity of the topics.”
“We already heard about this from Nahari and his people, and I’ve set up a meeting for you with our best cyber attack defense experts.”
The general director is a lot more positive than his staff is, Gideon thought. The man knew how to rise above petty considerations. Gideon also knew that their past connections were contributing to their ability to reach an understanding.
“The staff from our electronics department,” the head of ADWTI informed them, “will take part in this meeting. But we still have one major unresolved question, about the conversion of the civilian IOT systems for defense use. This is an area my people are just now getting into, and I’d ask, Dr. Ben Ari, that you grant us a deeper understanding of the system that Dan has designed. If we know more about it, we can advise you on what’s needed to adapt it to its current assignments.”
“Well, I have a succinct document that Dan prepared exactly for the purpose you just cited, sir, and I hope this will clarify the structure of the system and the way it operates. This is a learning system, and one of its new traits is the ability of the components and sensors of which it’s comprised to communicate and implement the learning principle with no human involvement.”
“That’s very interesting,” the general director said. ”And it’s important, Gideon, that you convey this information to the research and development people. This will ensure you can continue to help Singapore defend itself. You were right, you and Dan Avni, when you singled out the cyber threat as primary among the threats Iran intends to set in motion in Singapore. In that case, the Singaporeans will be the first to face the cyber front, and our agenda is protecting an allied country, but also learning and developing methods of defense for Israel itself.”
“I certainly understand, general director, and I’m pleased with your approach. I’ll do my best to both enhance the understanding here of what’s going on in Singapore and assist in building a smart defense system for them.”
“Okay, people, you have a lot of work here, and you better get going. It’s important that you know, Gideon, that I’m planning on establishing an interdivisional committee here that will track your activity in Singapore and advise you as needed. Thank you all.”
***
A day of meetings and discussions went by, and throughout it, Gideon felt adrenalized and not tired in the slightest. The general director’s assistant accompanied him to all the meetings, summarizing the topics examined and discussed. Gideon felt as if he were returning to a bygone era, as if time had stopped. At the end of the day, he arrived at his office and found Noga, his administrative assistant, concerned about the heavy load he had taken on. The aromatic cup of espresso he remembered fondly and the slice of coffee cake that Noga served him reminded Gideon of his other life, the consulting firm whose existence had nearly slipped his mind. His Incoming tray was overflowing, but Gideon didn’t have the energy to delve into it. He sat down and mentally surveyed all of the day’s fascinating encounters. A knock on the door shook him out of his contemplation.
“The assistant to the general director of the Ministry of Defense is here. He says he has a file of documentation for you.”
“Yes, Noga, he’s been escorting me around all day and promised to give me summaries of all the meetings. Please take the file from him and thank him for me.”
Noga knew that Gideon wanted to be alone and that he should be allowed some private time. The thick file that the general director’s assistant had brought with him contained a summary of all the topics discussed in the course of the visit. Gideon felt that flying to Israel and his short stay there had been important. He returned again and again to the new information he had learned about the cyber threats posed by Iran and China, and he felt more confident in returning to Singapore and heading the effort to complete the defense system that Dan had developed.
Chapter 26
Dr. Chang Mei was sitting in her office on the fortieth floor of the building housing the holding company for the Singaporean industries. Like many other buildings in Singapore, this one had been designed by a world-renowned architect. The floor devoted exclusively to the CEO’s offices displayed tasteful décor.
Chang Mei felt ill at ease after the latest meeting of the task force headed by General Tan. Too many issues remained unresolved, and there were still quite a few open questions. At this stage, defending against explosive-based attacks seemed
like a simple challenge. In contrast, the intelligence issue disturbed her greatly. Dr. Chang had been highly impressed by Dan Avni’s capabilities, but she knew he was only one person, no matter how talented, and it wasn’t reasonable to expect him to operate like a large, diverse collective of computer whizzes. In her one-on-one meeting with Tan, immediately following the team meeting, she raised her concerns with her friend the general. Tan concurred with her assessments and was glad to receive her solemn promise to dedicate her full attention and support, along with those of the industries under her supervision, to Dan Avni’s project.
General Tan had felt calmer after talking to her, but she maintained her doubts. How could effective collection of intelligence be ensured? And how should they proceed so as to make the best use of the talented people employed by local industries? The heavy cloud cast by the prospect of cyber attacks, particularly China’s new involvement as a player in this regard, was a constant cause of concern for her.
Dr. Chang Mei was aware of the nickname “The Iron Lady” by which she was known in Singapore. As the daughter of a well-established Chinese family in Singapore, many doors were open to her. But no one could dispute her intelligence or her qualifications. Even during her schooldays, her sharp intellect and her leadership abilities had set her apart. She completed her BSc in electronic engineering in a record time of two years at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore. She earned her next two degrees in the United States, an MSc from MIT and a PhD from Stanford. Chang Mei had an impressive career with Singapore’s Ministry of Defense, as an engineer at the Research and Development Division. Her qualifications had been proven to eclipse the men around her. When the role of managing the industries’ holding company became available, the ministers did not hesitate to appoint Chang Mei. The doors of General Tan, head of the National Security Institute, as well as those of Singapore’s minister of finance and minister of defense were always open to her.
Chang’s office manager entered with her head bowed, bearing a tray with a delicate china tea set. The kettle, containing aromatic green tea, and the china cups were centuries-old masterworks from the courtyards of the emperors of the Qing Dynasty.
“You wanted us to set up a meeting with Dr. Ben Ari,” the office manager whispered. “He can be here in an hour.”
“Very good. Please bring me the international task force file, and hold my calls.”
Chang Mei leafed through the thick file, trying to define for herself the essential difficulty in defending against the threats. She was aware of the gap in knowledge that challenged her and Gideon Ben Ari in the areas at which Dan Avni so clearly excelled. She wanted to hear from Gideon Ben Ari about his meetings in Israel. During her years in the Ministry of Defense, Chang Mei had learned to appreciate the creative Israelis who were capable of performing seemingly reckless leaps of logic, yet had an impressive track record of success. She knew that the moment the situation became clearer to her, she would be able to more effectively utilize the industries under her supervision.
“Welcome back, Gideon,” Chang Mei called out as she rose to shake Gideon’s hand. “I’m glad you’re back with us here in Singapore, and hope you have some good news for us after your meetings in Israel.”
“Yes, I did have some good, important meetings in Israel. I’ve learned a lot from the intelligence assessments I was given. It’s worrying on the one hand but, on the other hand, it allows us to prepare for the next attempted attacks.”
“That, Gideon, is exactly what’s been bothering me for quite a while now. Something is lacking in our intelligence efforts, and I was hoping to hear from you how Israel might help us improve our capabilities.”
The Iron Lady had allowed herself to need advice from a stranger, revealing to him a vulnerability of which even her husband, a junior minister at the Ministry of Education, was unaware. Ever since their first meeting, when she was still working for the Ministry of Defense, Gideon had struck her as someone who was solid as a rock and whose wisdom could be relied upon.
“I can update you on some important information I received in Israel. This is something interesting that came up in the context of the questions that Dan provided me with. I’ve been sitting down with him all morning, and he’s pleased with the information I brought with me. I think he now has a better idea how to conduct the preparations for defending against cyber attacks. Dan can upgrade our surveillance capabilities and enhance them using the IOT system converted for defense purposes. In order to attain these capabilities, we need to install sensors in some essential locations. Dan is aware of the challenge of installing the sensors so that they’re not detected in their new locations—”
“And he’s thought of a way?” Chang Mei couldn’t hold back.
“I was just getting to that,” Gideon replied soothingly. “He’s thinking of flying them to their destination.”
Chang Mei looked at him uncomprehendingly.
“We’d be using tiny drones, called microdrones. These are systems the size of a wasp, if that. During my meetings in Israel, I was informed that Singapore is working on a project to develop microdrones.”
“That’s right, but it’s only in its initial stages…”
“The company that Dan manages in Silicon Valley is working on a project that’s solved most of the problems associated with operating microdrones.”
“And they’ve received authorization to share that knowledge with us?”
“That’s the beauty of the thing, Chang Mei. This is a private venture initiated by Dan, and they still haven’t contacted any American industries or the Department of Defense.”
“I suggest we update General Tan and get his okay before proceeding recklessly. Tan has always been involved in our drone project, and I’m sure he’ll allow Dan to incorporate his solution into the systems we’ve been developing, and bring us closer to completing our defense system.”
Gideon and Chang Mei entered Tan’s office for the meeting and were somewhat surprised to find Damia there. Chang Mei raised an eyebrow but kept her silence. She decided to stick around for a one-on-one conversation with Tan once the meeting was over.
“I had some useful meetings in Israel,” Gideon began, “and I was happy to receive a commitment from the highest ranks to assist Singapore in defending itself against terrorist threats. There’s been further reinforcement of your assessments regarding the impending threats, and I’ve received important information for Dan, which will help him complete the defense system he’s working on…”
“I’m glad to hear, Gideon, that Israel is standing by us.”
“Tan, I wanted to add that Israel recognizes these cyber threats as an acute danger to itself as well. We’re in the crosshairs right along with Singapore, as they told me.”
“Being in trouble together,” Tan commented, “doesn’t make the trouble itself go away. Do you have another update for me?”
“Yes,” Chang Mei said. “I understand from Gideon that we need components such as microdrones to upgrade the defense array that Dan is working on. Gideon has told me about the technological development of microdrones in Dan’s company in California. We could incorporate this technological innovation in our drone project, which is still in its early stages.”
“That’s very interesting, Dr. Chang Mei. What do you need from me?”
“We wanted to inform you and get your blessing. On the one hand, our project is sensitive and top secret, and we were thinking of saving it for future threats. But on the other hand, Tan, we’re in the early stages of development, and Dan Avni has a proven technological solution. If using these ‘wasps,’ as Dan calls the drones, would provide us with a good protective shield, it would be smart to incorporate this technology into the development of our drone systems.”
“Will the ‘wasps’ work for the function Dan has in mind for them? Would it be possible to fit them into our development process?”
“We have to look into that with the industry people working on the project,” Gideon chimed in. “We just wanted an okay from you before we went any further. If you green light this, Dr. Chang and I were thinking about setting up a meeting between the people working on your microdrone project and Dan, and seeing how their capabilities can be combined with the ‘wasps’ and the sensors Dan is planning to attach to them.”
“You have my blessing,” Tan decreed. “Keep moving forward, and spare no efforts to complete the system.”
Gideon hurried to Dan’s room at the technological lab in order to inform him of the option of adding the “wasps” as sensor bearers in the defense system. He asked Tan’s office manager to locate Deutsch and ask him to get to the lab as well.
Dr. Chang Mei stayed behind in order to talk to Tan in private. In an assertive, direct manner, she brought up her apprehension regarding Damia’s excessive involvement in the issues the task force was handling, as well as other sensitive issues. Tan did not dare contradict The Iron Lady but merely pointed out that it would be wrong to discriminate against the talented young woman, which might result in allegations—already rampant in Singapore—of a bias against the Malaysian minority. Chang asked Tan to trust her female intuition, which had proven effective in the past. The meeting ended with a stammered promise from Tan to monitor the conduct of the head of the Technology and Communication Department.
***
“Good news!” Gideon called out when he entered Dan’s room with Deutsch. “We have authorization to use the microdrones you’ve developed in California in conjunction with the drone project currently under development in Singapore. This could prove a real shortcut for your defense system…”
