One of the most frequently asked questions in the Arab and Islamic world is: how can a small country like Israel, with a population of no more than ten million, face a regional environment of hundreds of millions, while simultaneously maintaining a clear military and intelligence superiority?

This question is often posed in an emotional way, but it actually reveals a deeper issue in how the conflict in the Middle East is understood. Confrontation in the region is no longer just a conventional military struggle; it has essentially become a conflict between technology and slogans, between the knowledge-based economy on one side and ideological discourse on the other.

The belief that numerical superiority can shift the balance of power is a naive reading of the nature of modern wars. These wars are not decided by population size or the number of fighters, but by technology, intelligence capabilities, and military organization.

Israel does not rely solely on aircraft or missiles, but on an integrated system of human and technological intelligence. This system allows it to penetrate its opponents, identify the locations of their leaders, and carry out precise assassinations targeting those most influential within the enemy’s structure.

In many cases, the decisive factor is not the military strike itself, but the intelligence information that precedes it.

One of the core strengths of Israel’s strategy is its ability to embed sources within hostile environments. In the Middle East, the battle is not fought only on the frontlines, but also within information and communication networks.

When a state has the ability to access decision-making centers within its adversaries, it can strike at the most sensitive points. This explains the success of many targeted operations against military and security leaders in the region in recent years.

The most decisive factor in Israel’s superiority is its knowledge-based economy. Israel did not build its military power first; it first established a scientific and technological foundation that made it one of the most advanced countries in software, technology, cybersecurity, and innovation.

The country has become something of a global laboratory for advanced technology, hosting dozens of tech companies each valued at over one billion dollars, along with research and development centers for the world’s leading technology firms.

This scientific environment has not only strengthened Israel’s economy but also propelled its military capabilities to much higher levels, as the technology developed in universities and companies is quickly converted into military and intelligence applications.

A strong economy even in wartime 

What is most striking about Israel’s experience is that its economy has not faltered even during war. Amid military confrontations, Israel successfully exported over sixty billion dollars in technology products and advanced services, while its currency reached unprecedented levels.

This shows that war has not weakened Israel’s economy; rather, it has highlighted the depth of its technology-driven economy, which has become the backbone of the state. A clear example is the strategic agreement Israel reached with India on the eve of a joint campaign against Iran. This, in turn, gives Israel exceptional ability to fund its military and develop its capabilities without risking economic collapse.

By contrast, the situation is entirely different for the states of the resistance axis. The leading state in this axis, Iran, has suffered for years from severe economic crises, harsh international sanctions, and repeated currency devaluations. The Iranian leadership has chosen to direct a significant portion of state resources toward its ballistic and nuclear programs, as well as funding allied armed networks in the region.

However, the domestic cost of this strategy has been high. Iranian citizens have paid the price in terms of living standards and economic stability, while state resources have been diverted to military and foreign political projects instead of investment in the economy, development, and technology.

The deeper difference between Israel and the resistance axis, however, is not just in military power or economic strength, but in the role of ideology within the power system.

In the resistance states, ideology often dominates and shapes both economic and military policies. Doctrinal discourse frequently serves as a substitute for systematic investment in technology, the economy, and scientific research.

In Israel, ideology has been used differently. It is not presented as the foundation of power, but as a catalyst for it—a moral mobilizer supporting a project based fundamentally on science, economy, technology, and institutional organization.

As a result, the real focus has been on building strong universities, developing advanced industries, linking the economy to scientific research, and converting innovation into military and intelligence capabilities.

Here lies the paradox: while ideology in Israel is used to support a project based on scientific and technological superiority, in the resistance axis it sometimes appears as a substitute for that very superiority.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by the writers are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Annahar