China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) is closely studying the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran to refine its military strategy. The PLA is drawing insights from the conflict, particularly in areas such as AI-driven targeting, multi-domain operations, and real-time intelligence integration.
China Military Bugle, a PLA-affiliated outlet, has highlighted five key lessons from the war for domestic military audiences. The first lesson emphasizes the "Deadliest threat: the enemy within," showcasing the U.S. and Israeli proficiency in neutralizing high-value targets early in the conflict.
This underscores Beijing's concerns about internal security and the limitations of technological surveillance. The second lesson, "Costliest miscalculation: blind faith in peace," underscores Iran's failure to anticipate military action during negotiations.
The third lesson, "Coldest reality: the logic of superior firepower," focuses on the U.S.' strategic deployment of advanced weaponry. China is keen on adopting similar doctrines to enhance its military capabilities.
The fourth lesson, "Cruelest paradox: the illusion of victory," highlights the challenges authoritarian regimes face in modern warfare. Lastly, the "Ultimate reliance: self-reliance" lesson stresses the importance of technological independence.
China's military philosophy, known as "Systems Destruction Warfare Strategy," aims to disrupt the network connecting U.S. forces rather than targeting individual weapons platforms. The PLA is closely monitoring surveillance patterns, command-and-control responses, and missile defense operations to understand U.S. operational behavior.
The Iran conflict is shaping China's approach to future conflicts in the Indo-Pacific region. The PLA is also evaluating the decapitation strategy in the context of Taiwan.
While precision strikes on Taipei's leadership could be a tactic, Chinese analysts recognize that decapitation alone may not lead to immediate victory. The ongoing leadership crisis within the PLA, impacted by Xi Jinping's purges, poses challenges in analyzing and applying the observed lessons effectively.
Despite the leadership turmoil, China stands to gain valuable insights from the U.S.-Iran conflict, enhancing its military preparedness without direct involvement in the conflict itself. The lessons learned from American combat operations could significantly influence China's future military strategies and decision-making processes.
