‘Learning Israel’s Strength’: Netanyahu’s Boast and the Reality of Asymmetric Conflict

“The entire region is learning Israel’s strength and determination,” boasted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after the strikes on Yemen. While the raid was a clear demonstration of Israeli military might, it also highlights the complex realities of asymmetric conflict, where strength doesn’t always guarantee victory.
Israel’s strength is undeniable: advanced fighter jets, precision munitions, and superior intelligence. The ability to execute a flawless long-range strike on Sanaa is a testament to this power, and it certainly inflicted significant damage on the Houthis.
However, in asymmetric warfare, the weaker party often has different victory conditions. For the Houthis, survival is a victory. Enduring a massive Israeli attack and continuing to fight can be framed as a success, boosting their prestige among supporters and other anti-Israel factions.
Netanyahu’s boast, therefore, only tells one side of the story. While Israel can win any single battle with its overwhelming strength, the determined, lower-tech adversary can prolong the war, absorb the blows, and claim a political victory, making the path to a decisive outcome far from certain.