Decapitation strike: Israel's silent war to dismantle State sovereignty

THE world awoke to news of Israeli airstrikes targeting Iran. On the surface, it appeared to be another escalation in an already volatile Middle East. But for those observing the deep structure of global power, these were not ordinary attacks. Israel has crossed into a far more sophisticated form of warfare, one not focused on territory, but on systematically dismantling the intellectual and leadership architecture of its adversaries. This was not a general bombardment. This was a decapitation strike.

- By Jihan Hameed

The reported deaths include not only military officers but senior members of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), advanced nuclear scientists, and high-level strategic planners.

These were the minds who formulated Iran's defence posture, retaliation strategy, and long-term geopolitical alliances. Their removal sends Iran into operational paralysis. Historically, warfare aimed to capture land, destroy armies, and occupy capitals. But in the 21st century, real power lies in controlling how states think, plan, and respond. The removal of Iran's key individuals is part of a broader strategy of disabling sovereign decision-making structures. When a state loses its brain centre, even temporarily, its ability to retaliate, negotiate, or maintain internal stability is compromised. Weapons without leadership are ineffective. Diplomatic channels without intellectual depth become hollow.

Silent consent

Israel has applied this doctrine before. The assassination of General Qassem Soleimani in 2020 (in coordination with the United States), and the killing of top nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, followed the same model: eliminate the architects and disarm the system. The United States officially distanced itself from this most recent strike. But US personnel were evacuated from sensitive Middle East locations days before the operation. US satellites and regional intelligence almost certainly monitored and likely enabled the strikes. The removal of US troops prior to Israeli action is not the behaviour of a disinterested party. This is silent consent. The US-Israel military alliance operates on multiple levels: intelligence cooperation, weapons transfers, and strategic coordination. Public denials serve diplomatic theatre, while operational coordination remains intact.