Senior officers argued that weapons production could be shifted to the US because “we are completely dependent on them anyway.” That is a mistake. Dependence is not binary. But the officers’ response was not only a miscalculation of power. It also reflected a deeper intellectual failure.
In the Second Iran War, Israel demonstrated extraordinary capabilities and struck its enemy in an unprecedented way. But as in every front since October 7, military power came at the expense of other forms of strength that are being eroded at an alarming rate. How can the same mistakes be avoided on Israel's northern front?
Bennett fired the opening shot, and after him some of the brightest minds philosophized about the concept of “victory.” But no one can take away what two courageous leaders achieved when they took their fate into their own hands.
The sense of unease accompanying the war’s impressive achievements stems from the impression that the long-awaited change in Iran was within reach, yet the ceasefire pushed it further away and helped the regime rise from the ropes. Israel must now push for two critical decisions: No easing of economic sanctions on Iran, and no restrictions on Israel’s freedom of action.
Iran still has an arsenal of thousands of ballistic missiles that it could use by bringing launchers out of underground storage sites. American officials familiar with the latest intelligence assessments say they are concerned Iran would use the ceasefire to rebuild parts of its missile arsenal.
