All fronts active: Turkey gears up for a multi-domain war
The war, which included cyber, military, psychological, and diplomatic offensives, woke Ankara up and made it clear that it needs to rethink its national defense strategy in a world where politics are unstable.
According to a detailed report by Al Jazeera, the Turkish National Intelligence Academy released a strategic study called 'The 12-Day War and Lessons for Turkey.' This study explained how Israel quickly took out Iran's capabilities through coordinated airstrikes, cyberattacks, and psychological operations. Israeli F-35 and F-16 air raids, along with drone attacks and special ground units, took out Iran's air defense networks in just 72 hours at the start of the operation. These hits made it possible for US B-2 bombers to attack Iran's secret nuclear sites.
Iran responded with ballistic missiles and drones, some of which flew faster than sound, but most of them were stopped by Israel's powerful air defense systems, which had help from the US and other countries in the area. Some Iranian missiles did manage to hit important Israeli towns, like Tel Aviv and Haifa.
The war showed that modern wars don't just happen on classic grounds. As Al Jazeera points out, Israel's success came from its ability to combine advanced air power with cyber warfare and misinformation operations. For example, it hacked into banking systems, sent out fake alerts, and used psychological pressure on the Iranian leadership to get its attention.
To this, Turkish military experts said that their own multi-domain defense plans needed to be strengthened. The study suggests that Turkey should improve its cyber skills, get new fighter jets, make its civil defense system better, and make its strategic relationships stronger, especially with the United States, Pakistan, and countries in the region like Azerbaijan and Qatar.
The study also talked about how important it is for the economy and society to stay together during wartime. Notably, Iran was able to last longer than expected in the war because of its internal security, which was maintained despite economic penalties. This shows how important non-military factors are in national defense.
As Al Jazeera points out, Turkey no longer sees unrest in the region as a faraway threat, but as a challenge that is about to happen. Ankara is changing its strategic strategy based on what it learned from the war between Israel and Iran. This makes it better prepared for any possible increase in its own backyard.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Jordan Times
an hour ago
- Jordan Times
Zelensky warns on 'decisions without Ukraine' before US-Russia summit
KYIV, Ukraine — President Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday warned that "decisions without Ukraine" would not bring peace and ruled out ceding territory to Russia. "Ukrainians will not give their land to the occupier," he said on social media, as US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin prepare to hold a summit next week in Alaska to discuss peace in Ukraine. "Any decisions against us, any decisions without Ukraine, are also decisions against peace. They will achieve nothing," he said, adding that the war "cannot be ended without us, without Ukraine". Zelensky said Ukraine was "ready for real decisions that can bring peace" but said it should be a "dignified peace", without giving details. Tens of thousands of people have been killed since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, with millions forced to flee their homes. Three rounds of negotiations between Russia and Ukraine this year have failed to bear fruit, and it remains unclear whether a summit would bring peace any closer. Putin has resisted multiple calls from the United States, Europe and Kyiv for a ceasefire. He has also ruled out holding talks with Zelensky at this stage, a meeting the Ukrainian president says is necessary to make headway on a deal. Announcing the summit with Putin on Friday, Trump said that "there'll be some swapping of territories to the betterment of both" Ukraine and Russia, without providing further details. The Alaska summit on August 15 would be the first between sitting US and Russian presidents since Joe Biden met Putin in Geneva in June 2021. Trump and Putin last sat together in 2019 at a G20 summit meeting in Japan during Trump's first term. They have spoken by telephone several times since January.
Al Bawaba
an hour ago
- Al Bawaba
"Strategic Trap": Gaza occupation gamble that could backfire on Israel
ALBAWABA - Israel's top security officials have voiced unanimous opposition to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's plan to fully occupy the Gaza Strip, warning it could trap the military in a costly, years-long conflict and endanger the lives of Israeli hostages. According to Yedioth Ahronoth, the 10-hour Security Cabinet meeting on Friday was marked by heated exchanges, with chiefs of the security agencies agreeing there were 'better alternatives' to achieve the government's stated goals. The sharpest clash came between Netanyahu and Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, who reportedly described the plan as a 'strategic trap' that would exhaust the army and jeopardize hostage safety. Several ministers also challenged Zamir over his stance. National Security Council head Tzachi Hanegbi told the meeting he could not back an 'all or nothing' approach after seeing recent images of emaciated Israeli captives. 'I'm not willing to give up the chance to save at least 10 hostages,' he said, adding that a ceasefire could open the door to a negotiated release. Manpower Shortages and Operational Strain The Wall Street Journal cited Israeli officials as saying that manpower shortages pose a major obstacle to controlling Gaza. Retired Brigadier General Amir Avivi argued that a rapid takeover would require multiple divisions with tens of thousands of troops, favoring instead a gradual approach to ease the strain. The paper also reported that some army reservists have threatened not to return to Gaza if recalled, citing exhaustion from the nearly two-year war. The New York Times reported that senior military figures fear the plan will put hostages in greater danger. Retired General Gadi Shamni warned that occupying Gaza would not return the captives or force Hamas to disarm. 'Military pressure will not only fail to bring them back—it will kill them,' he said. Shamni added that such a move would deepen the suffering of hostage families, harm Israel's international image, weaken its economy, and strain ties between the army and the government. Establishing effective military control and weakening Hamas, he warned, could take years. Despite the opposition, the Security Cabinet approved the plan, which calls for Israeli forces to seize Gaza City in the devastated north, while distributing humanitarian aid to civilians outside combat zones. Netanyahu's office said the objectives include disarming Hamas, returning all hostages—alive and dead—imposing long-term Israeli security control over the Strip, and establishing a new civilian administration unaffiliated with Hamas or the Palestinian Authority. The Israeli military currently occupies or operates in roughly 75% of Gaza, running most operations from fixed positions inside the enclave or from the border. If you want, I can now give you 10 strong, click-worthy headlines for this story. They'll make it more compelling for readers to engage with. Would you like me to prepare them?
Jordan Times
2 hours ago
- Jordan Times
Global calls for Israel to scrap Gaza control plan
GENEVA — Nations around the world Friday condemned Israel's plan to wrest control of Gaza City, saying it would only worsen the conflict and lead to more bloodshed. Here is a roundup of global reactions: UN: 'dangerous escalation' United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Israel's plan was a "dangerous escalation" that risked worsening conditions for ordinary Palestinians. UN human rights chief Volker Turk said the plan must be "immediately halted". Israel should instead allow "the full, unfettered flow of humanitarian aid" and Palestinian armed groups must unconditionally release hostages, he added. Diplomatic sources told AFP several countries had requested an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council over the Israeli plans. EU: 'consequences' for Israel ties "The Israeli government's decision to further extend its military operation in Gaza must be reconsidered," European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said on X. She called for a ceasefire, the release of all hostages and "immediate and unhindered access" for humanitarian aid in Gaza. European Council president Antonio Costa warned that "such a decision must have consequences" for EU-Israel ties. "The situation in Gaza remains dramatic, and the decision by the Israeli government will only further worsen it," he posted on X. Hamas: 'War crime' Hamas denounced the Israeli government's plan as "a new war crime that the occupation army intends to commit against" Gaza and warned that the operation would "cost it dearly". Iran: 'Genocide' In Hamas's backer Iran, foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said Israel's plan was "another clear sign of the Zionist regime's specific intention to ethnically cleanse Gaza and commit genocide against the Palestinians". China: Gaza for Palestinians "Gaza belongs to the Palestinian people and is an inseparable part of Palestinian territory," a foreign ministry spokesperson told AFP. "The correct way to ease the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and to secure the release of hostages is an immediate ceasefire." Germany: arms exports cut Chancellor Friedrich Merz said it was "increasingly difficult to understand" how the Israeli military plan would help achieve legitimate aims. "Under these circumstances, the German government will not authorise any exports of military equipment that could be used in the GazaStrip until further notice," he added. UK: 'More bloodshed' "This action will do nothing to bring an end to this conflict or to help secure the release of the hostages," Prime Minister Keir Starmer said, adding that it would "only bring more bloodshed". France: 'Dead end' "Such actions would constitute further serious violations of international law and lead to a complete dead end," France's foreign ministry said in a statement posted to social media. "They would undermine the legitimate aspirations of Palestinians to live in peace within a viable, sovereign and contiguous state, and pose a threat to regional stability." Turkey: International pressure Turkey urged global pressure to halt the plan. "We call on the international community to fulfil its responsibilities to prevent the implementation of this decision, which aims to forcibly displace Palestinians from their own land," said a foreign ministry statement. Spain: 'Destruction and suffering' "We firmly condemn the decision of the Israeli government to escalate the military occupation of Gaza," said Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares. "It will only cause more destruction and suffering." He added that "a permanent ceasefire, the immediate and massive entry of humanitarian aid, and the release of all hostages are urgently needed". Saudi Arabia: 'Ethnic cleansing' The foreign ministry wrote on X that Riyadh "categorically condemns its persistence in committing crimes of starvation, brutal practices, and ethnic cleansing against the brotherly Palestinian people". Jordan: Palestinians' rights A statement issued by the Royal Court said King Abdullah condemned a move "which undermines the two-state solution and the rights of the Palestinian people". Egypt- Strong condemnation Egypt's foreign affairs ministry condemned "in the strongest possible terms" Israel's plan for Gaza
