On February 28, 2026, marks a pivotal turn in global conflict. On that day, a joint American-Israeli offensive strikes strategic sites in Iran, opening a sequence of unprecedented military escalation in the Middle East.
Since then, the conflict has escalated, involving massive strikes, drone attacks, cyber operations, and indirect warfare, revealing a profound shift.
Contemporary warfare is no longer just a confrontation between regular armies. It has become a complex, hybrid, and technological system. The outbreak of war between the United States, Israel, and Iran in 2026 is the most recent and striking illustration.
Asymmetry from weak to strong
The initial operation, known as “Operation Lion’s Roar,” targeted Iranian nuclear and military infrastructures, as well as command centers. It follows a logic of preventive war, aiming to neutralize adversary’s strategic capacities before they become fully operational.
This strike notably led to the death of the Iranian supreme leader, disrupting the country’s internal political balance. However, Iranian exceptional resilience and inventiveness proved unpredictable.
Far from causing a collapse, this offensive triggered a massive counterattack. Tehran launched hundreds of drones and ballistic missiles against Israel and several American bases in the Gulf, inaugurating a large-scale asymmetrical warfare phase.
Within days, Israeli cities were hit, including Beit Shemesh, where a strike caused civilian casualties. This dynamic quickly regionalized. On March 28, 2026, Yemen’s Houthi rebels officially entered the conflict by firing missiles at Israel, opening a new strategic front. Simultaneously, drone attacks targeted oil installations in Kuwait and maritime infrastructures, jeopardizing global energy routes.
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