A man dubbed the “living Nostradamus” predicted the Microsoft outage in April and now claims it may lead to an “escalation of confrontation” and potentially a cyber war. Athos Salomé, 36, from Brazil, has gained a reputation as a psychic due to the accuracy of his predictions, having previously foreseen the coronavirus pandemic, Elon Musk’s acquisition of Twitter, and even Queen Elizabeth’s death.
In an exclusive interview with FEMAIL in April, Salomé warned of technology blackouts this year that would plunge the world into chaos. His prediction came true as a massive IT failure caused disruption worldwide, affecting various sectors from air travel to emergency services.
On July 19, the Cloudstrike outage wreaked global havoc.
Departure boards at airports turned off, shops in Australia shut down or went cashless, and emergency services lines in the US went down. In the UK, British train passengers faced delays due to widespread IT issues, Sky News went off air, and NHS England advised patients not to attend GP appointments due to problems with their systems. Microsoft confirmed it was investigating an issue with its 365 apps and operating systems, with a resolution forthcoming. US cybersecurity company CrowdStrike later admitted responsibility, attributing the problem to a defect in a content update, and clarified it was not a cyberattack.
Speaking to FEMAIL, Salomé warned that Microsoft’s global shutdown could impact essential infrastructure and escalate inter-state confrontations, potentially leading to a cyber war. He suggested that in the short term, inquiries and remedial actions would focus on restoring services and preventing future attacks. Businesses will need to bolster cybersecurity, and society may grow more concerned about internet services, leading to discussions on intensive regulation. This event could trigger shifts in political actions and military strategies on an international level, with the threat of an international war becoming a real possibility.
Salomé, who previously predicted “three days of darkness” in 2024, explained that this forecast was misunderstood as relating to a coronal mass ejection. Instead, he linked it to escalating tensions between Israel and Iran, potentially leading to a large-scale conflict similar to a Third World War. He highlighted the potential use of Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) weapons, designed to destroy information systems and render electronic devices useless without harming people or buildings.
EMP weapons, typically triggered by high-altitude explosions, interact with the Earth’s magnetic fields to create pulses that can disrupt and damage electronic equipment and infrastructures. During the Cold War, both the USA and the Soviet Union viewed EMP as a tool for disabling enemy infrastructure without direct harm. In 1962, the US conducted the Starfish Prime experiment, detonating a nuclear warhead high in the atmosphere, creating an EMP that disrupted global radio communications and even blew out streetlights in Hawaii.
Today, devices capable of replicating EMP effects exist, increasing the threat in technologically dependent scenarios. Non-nuclear localized EMP devices can disrupt small-scale targets, like a small city, by releasing energy in the radiofrequency or microwave spectrum. However, EMP’s significance lies in its potential to destabilize defense and communication systems on a larger scale.
Salomé also shared his perspective on the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in conflicts, such as between Israel and Iran, predicting its potential to revolutionize strategies and warfare tactics. He foresees a moment in 2024 when both countries may adopt AI technologies for defense and offensive purposes, with AI serving as both a peacekeeping tool and an instigator of fresh confrontations.
Advanced nations, including the United States, Russia, and China, have been quietly advancing EMP technologies for security purposes. Even North Korea shows interest in EMP technology as part of its preemptive strike tactics. This shift signifies a growing trend where EMP is viewed not just as a weapon but as an essential element of future military endeavors, capable of significantly and swiftly disrupting critical systems.
Military history and technology expert Dr. William Forstchen has explored the chilling potential of such a strike, highlighting the unprecedented havoc it could wreak. As nations continue to develop and invest in EMP technologies, the global landscape of warfare and cybersecurity remains ever-changing and increasingly complex.
