Israel’s “Operation Rising Lion” against Iran, launched early Friday in the Middle East, represents an evolution in how democratic nations can prepare for and execute preemptive operations against peer adversaries. By fusing years of intelligence preparation with special operations capabilities, Israel achieved strategic surprise and devastating effect against Iran’s nuclear program and military leadership despite months and years of mounting tensions. The operation offers critical lessons for Western military planners facing similar challenges with peer competitors who possess advanced air defenses, nuclear ambitions, and totalitarian control. Of course, Friday’s Israeli strike on Iran occurred under relatively favorable conditions—already degraded air defenses, neutralized proxies, and no existing nuclear deterrent—complicating direct comparisons to potential preemptive strikes on true US peers such as Russia or China. Still, the concepts retain value worth exploring as Western militaries seek unconventional options to address emerging threats.
By fusing intelligence and special operations, Israel’s strikes on Iran are a lesson in strategic surprise (Doug Livermore – Atlantic Council)
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