US And Israel Did A Stupid Thing By Starting The War: Tom Cooper

The ongoing confrontation involving Iran, Israel and the United States could have far-reaching consequences for West Asia and the nature of modern warfare, according to aerial warfare analyst and military historian Tom Cooper.

In a wide-ranging conversation, Cooper offers a blunt assessment of the current escalation. “This attack on Iran is absolutely insane and unnecessary,” Cooper says bluntly, criticising what he sees as a lack of clear strategic planning behind the decision to strike Iranian targets. According to him, the idea that bombing Iran would produce a quick strategic outcome reflects a serious misunderstanding of the region and its political dynamics.

Cooper, who has spent decades studying air wars across West Asia, South Asia and Africa, argues that such military action risks prolonging the conflict rather than resolving it. Instead of weakening Iran decisively, sustained external attacks could strengthen internal cohesion within the country and intensify regional instability.

He also points to historical precedents to illustrate the pattern of conflicts in West Asia. Referring to earlier Arab–Israeli wars, Cooper notes that Israel has often relied on pre-emptive or preventive strikes against its adversaries. One of the most prominent examples, he says, was during the Six-Day War, when Israel launched strikes against Egypt and other Arab states.

According to Cooper, understanding these historical patterns is essential to analysing the current confrontation with Iran and its potential trajectory.

Another concern he raises is the possibility that sustained pressure on Iran could create stronger militant networks aligned with Tehran. Rather than eliminating such actors, the conflict could end up producing more powerful and resilient proxy forces across the region.

Beyond the immediate crisis, Cooper believes the war reflects deeper changes in the character of modern warfare. Across conflicts from Russian invasion of Ukraine to the West Asia, technology is transforming the battlefield. Cheap drones, loitering munitions, and long-range missile systems are increasingly challenging traditional military dominance.

Air superiority, once considered the cornerstone of modern warfare, is becoming harder to achieve as integrated air defence networks and advanced missile systems spread across the world. In this environment, even technologically advanced militaries must adapt to a far more contested battlespace.

Interestingly, Cooper believes that some countries are already moving in the right direction when it comes to preparing for this evolving battlefield. India, he notes, has taken important steps in building a layered and integrated air defence system capable of countering a range of threats – from aircraft and cruise missiles to drones and other emerging technologies.

According to Cooper, modern conflicts require exactly this kind of layered defence architecture, where multiple systems work together to detect, track and intercept incoming threats. In his view, India’s approach reflects an understanding that future wars will involve a mix of drones, missiles and conventional aircraft operating simultaneously.

He also warns that modern conflicts are unlikely to remain short or limited. The experience of recent wars shows that high-intensity conflicts can quickly evolve into prolonged struggles of attrition.

As tensions continue in West Asia, Cooper argues that the biggest danger may lie in strategic miscalculation. Once conflicts escalate and multiple actors become involved, they become increasingly difficult to control.

For policymakers and military planners alike, the lesson may be clear: modern wars are becoming longer, more complex, and far more unpredictable than many had assumed.