The writer is director of regional security at the International Institute for Strategic Studies
War is the ultimate crash course. People who never knew the difference between an AK-47 and an M4 assault rifle are now versed in the intricacies of air defence systems; those unlucky enough to be close to the action learn to differentiate between an incoming ballistic missile landing on target and its interception.
The first military phase of the US-Israel campaign against Iran — which was pre-planned, highly scripted and methodical in its execution — appears to be coming to a close. Judging by the figures, the operational success of the campaign is indeed stunning. Having established air superiority, it involved hundreds of US and Israeli aircraft, two aircraft carriers, cruise and ballistic missiles and more.