Yitzhak Brick warns: Preoccupation with Iran overlooks escalating Turkish threat and weakness of ground forces

Retired Major General in the Occupation Army, Yitzhak Brick, issued strong warnings against becoming engrossed in confronting Iran in a way that leads to overlooking more serious strategic threats. Brick pointed out that Turkey has gradually begun to transform into the biggest security challenge in the region, which requires a comprehensive re-evaluation of defense priorities.

In an analysis published by Hebrew media, Brick considered that decision-making circles suffer from a state he described as 'security concept blindness'. He explained that ideological positions have come to dominate realistic strategy, which hinders the ability to read the rapid geopolitical shifts in the Middle East.

The former military commander warned of scenarios of a comprehensive regional war that could erupt on several simultaneous fronts, starting from the north with Hezbollah to the existing tensions in Syria. He also pointed to the possibility of threats emerging from the Jordanian border and increasing unrest in the West Bank, leading to potential escalation with Egypt in the future.

Brick stressed that Turkey is systematically working to strengthen its regional power and consolidate its influence in the region, which places the occupation before a complex security reality. He affirmed that this Turkish expansion could put Israel in the face of an unprecedented escalation that the international arena has not witnessed before.

Regarding military readiness, Brick noted that excessive reliance on the air force represents a fatal strategic vulnerability in any large-scale confrontation. He explained that air power, despite its development, will not be sufficient alone to ensure the defense of the Israeli heartland in the event of a multi-front war.

Brick called for the necessity of building what he described as a 'steel triangle' that integrates air, land, and naval forces. He emphasized that the ground element is currently the weakest link in the defense system, which limits the army's ability to maneuver effectively.

The retired major general believes that the current weakness in the ground forces will make the army unable to protect the home front or carry out decisive attacks within enemy territory. He warned that relying solely on air strikes will leave the state in a state of 'eternal defense' that will end in inevitable collapse in the hostile Middle East environment.

Regarding the Iranian file, Brick downplayed the effectiveness of a limited air war, stressing that it would not lead to the overthrow of the regime in Tehran. He pointed out that change in Iran requires widespread internal popular movement, not just air raids that do not touch the essence of military power.

Brick also ruled out the possibility of an Israeli ground attack against Iran, considering it practically impossible due to vast distances and lack of logistical capabilities. He considered that the exclusive focus on the air option reflects a short-sighted strategy that does not meet long-term national security requirements.

Brick strongly criticized the growing 'messianic' current within Israeli society, which views existential threats as mere tests of faith. He explained that this approach ignores the realistic dangers represented by thousands of missiles falling on populated cities and simultaneous ground invasions.

Analysis indicated that ignoring military reality in favor of metaphysical interpretations weakens the home front and increases the state of unpreparedness. Brick affirmed that confronting threats requires a cold military mindset based on accurate field calculations, far from illusions.

Brick concluded by emphasizing that internal disturbances could at any moment turn into an additional battlefront that exhausts security forces. He stressed that the lack of coordination between the different military branches would lead to disaster if the country were subjected to a coordinated attack from several directions.

These statements come at a time when the region is witnessing escalating tensions, which reinforces the importance of reviewing Israeli combat doctrine. Brick demands immediate investment in ground forces to restore the lost balance in the regional balance of power.

Victory in a multi-front conflict requires a steel triangle of air, land, and naval forces, and ground capability is the missing element we have.