People might like to remain blind and call it sci-fi but the harsh reality is that these technologies are very real and they exist in more than just a prototype box. The fact of the matter is that military research all over the world has focused them selves into the efficiency of each and soldier with an aim to upgrade the whole military.
Although we are probably a century away developed anything as advanced as marvels Iron Man's suit but the support skeletons have been developed and are even available for the public to see in the form of advanced medical robotics and prosthetic.
The 'art of war' is an ancient philosophy which no longer works the way it used to. The war is either totally covert or totally overt and the middle ground is left for the mediocre military might. The giants are already invisible even as their drones watch us.
I resonate with a lot of what you've said above. Especially this part :
I would say they have existed in the shadows for centuries but in this current age it has never been easier for them to pull strings from the depths of the Earth if that was their desire.