Has Iran’s loss of airspace control directly contributed to its vulnerability to American and Israeli strikes? Conversely, did Israel’s more advanced air defence network genuinely afford it greater deterrence against similar threats?

In Iran’s case, the shock of losing aerial dominance paved the way for surprise incursions: once drone swarms and stealth aircraft muted its radar networks, targeted strikes demolished vital research sites, and precision missiles silenced key scientists and commanders. The very loss of ‘who’s up there’ spelled catastrophe.

Yet even Israel’s much-touted Iron Dome has shown cracks. Despite early warnings, Iranian missiles slipped through, leaving swathes of damage in their wake. It’s a stark reminder that no matter how advanced the shield, determined attackers can still find a chink in the armour.

So, what is the future of modern warfare? Will mastery of the skies and every domain within them become the ultimate linchpin of military success?

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A closer examination uncovers an even older precedent: some 1,400 years ago, tradition holds that divine clay projectiles rained down from the heavens to annihilate Abraha’s forces: an early, almost mythical example of an ‘air strike’ reshaping the course of history.

Fast forward to 2025, and the sky has undeniably become the new decisive battlespace. The Israelis operate with near total impunity over Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria, even slicing through Iraqi airspace to strike Iran. The US exerts a stranglehold across the Middle East, projecting power from roughly 19 widely dispersed air bases under........

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