As the war in Iran drags into its fourth week, the direct and indirect costs of the conflict are beginning to mount, highlighting a longstanding challenge of replenishing weaponry and other military assets while waging what some describe as “asymmetric” warfare in a far-flung part of the world. The U.S. and Israel are deploying costly sophisticated weaponry against the less expensive but highly cost-effective arms being used by Iran, a fact that has brought the evolving dynamics of modern warfare into sharper focus.
“There is a disconnect,” said Denise Garcia, professor of political science and international affairs at Northeastern. “The U.S. and other major powers built massive aircraft carriers, fighter jets and costly missiles, yet it is the cheaper drones that are causing terror — an example of asymmetric warfare at its best.”
