Merciless Use of Power: US-Israel War Doctrine

The language of security and deterrence is increasingly being tested against a stark and visible reality - widespread destruction, mounting civilian casualties, and deepening global economic strain. The ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Iran suggest that the use of power is no longer calibrated—it is being exercised with a level of intensity that raises fundamental questions about restraint.

Gaza today is emblematic of this shift. Entire neighborhoods lie in ruins. Critical infrastructure—schools, hospitals, water and electricity systems—has been devastated. Casualty estimates run into the tens of thousands, with women and children disproportionately affected. For survivors, the crisis persists in the form of displacement, hunger, and a fragile humanitarian environment that shows little sign of recovery.

This scale of destruction challenges the notion that civilian harm is incidental. Instead, it points to a pattern where overwhelming force becomes central to achieving strategic objectives.

The role of the United States in this dynamic is pivotal. Beyond diplomatic backing, Washington’s material and political support has enabled the continuation of military operations whose humanitarian consequences are globally visible. This alignment raises difficult questions about whether strategic partnerships are overriding considerations of proportionality and civilian protection.

Since February 28, 2026, the expansion of conflict into Iran has reinforced these concerns. Thousands of air strikes carried out by the United States and Israel mark a significant escalation. While framed within the context of security, the scale and persistence of these operations suggest a broader objective—one that risks pushing the region toward prolonged instability and humanitarian distress.

Ceasefire negotiations, though ongoing, have yet to inspire confidence. Previous patterns indicate that such pauses often serve as tactical interludes rather than genuine turning points. The concern is that they provide space not for resolution, but for regrouping before renewed and potentially more intense confrontation.

Compounding the crisis is the growing focus on the Strait of Hormuz. Any disruption to this critical energy corridor carries global consequences. Volatility in oil and gas prices has already translated into inflationary pressures, supply chain disruptions, and economic uncertainty far beyond the Middle East. For developing economies, this is not a distant geopolitical issue but an immediate and tangible burden.

What emerges is a troubling convergence - the normalization of large-scale military force in conflict zones and the externalization of its economic costs to the rest of the world.

At some point, the debate moves beyond intent. When outcomes repeatedly include devastated civilian infrastructure, mass suffering, and global economic strain, the nature of the strategy itself comes under scrutiny. The question is no longer whether power is being used—but how, and at what cost.