The news that Iran鈥檚 contribution to Russia鈥檚 war effort in Ukraine will soon include ballistic missiles as well as kamikaze drones has alerted the world to the surprising advances the Islamic Republic has made in disruptive weapons technologies. To the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, these technologies are as important as its nuclear-weapons program.
One man who understands this better than most is Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie, who retired in April as commander of US Central Command, the military command responsible for the Middle East. Gen. McKenzie recently warned about the impact of Iran鈥檚 advances in ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and drones. 鈥淥ver the past five to seven years, Iranian capabilities . . . have risen to such a degree that now they possess what I would call effective 鈥榦vermatch鈥� against their neighbors,鈥� he said on October 6 at Policy Exchange, a London think tank. 鈥淥vermatch,鈥� he continued, 鈥渋s a military term that means you have the ability to attack, and the defender won鈥檛 be able to mount a successful defense.鈥�