OPINION:
As the drumbeat of war in the Middle East continues to echo, it is becoming increasingly clear that Israel is not striving to topple the Iranian regime. Instead, it is pursuing a more practical goal: weakening the regime to the point where its ability to harm Israel nears zero.
This mirrors the strategic reality Israel has imposed on Hezbollah in Lebanon.
This is an achievable goal. If a direct exchange occurs now, then the Iranians will likely manage to retaliate. In the next round, their response will be weaker. After subsequent strikes, Israel will have neutralized their retaliatory capabilities.
The objective is operational dominance, creating a “Lebanon-style” freedom of action in Iran that allows Israel to strike regularly and thwart reconstruction without fear of reaction. This shift also would bolster Iran’s opposition forces by making the regime appear less invincible.
In contrast, the U.S. remains tethered to a “spectacular” mindset, planning for a hypersophisticated megastrike to collapse the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in a single blow. This stems from an idealistic pursuit of a “magic solution” to avoid getting bogged down in overseas wars.
It also reflects a profound hesitancy within the Pentagon. Washington has expanded the no-boots-on-the-ground approach into a no-military-forces-in-a-war-zone doctrine, seeking hermetic protection for its assets. This raises a fundamental question: What is the world’s strongest military worth if it is so vulnerable that it is deterred by the very forces it is meant to deter?
The Americans must eventually confront the reality that Israel has already accepted: A diplomatic signature from a theocracy does not intercept missiles. Sooner or later, Washington will realize that the only way to safeguard its forces is through the systematic neutralization of Iran’s ballistic capabilities.
In Israel, the “fear barrier” was crossed long ago. The war has revealed a dormant inner strength and a readiness to confront challenges of this magnitude. Israelis have become pragmatic. They know they will be hit in return, but they do not fear it. They are willing to pay the price because they understand that the Iranian military’s perceived power is largely a facade.
Excluding its missile units, the Iranian military demonstrated no real capability in recent conflicts. Soon, through persistent attrition, even that remaining capability will be taken from the regime.
NIMROD KOREN
Tel Aviv, Israel
Please read our comment policy before commenting.