What are the limitations of relying solely on operational superiority to manage strategic threats, as seen in the cases of Israel and India? (150 words)

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Introduction: Operational superiority refers to military prowess and technological capabilities to gain tactical advantage over an adversary. However, an overreliance on it while ignoring political solutions can prove counterproductive.

Body:

Israel managed the threat from Hamas and Gaza militants through periodic attrition campaigns since 2008. This operational superiority helped contain rockets and tunnels temporarily.
However, Israel ignored the political roots of the Palestine issue. It actively undermined the two-state solution and weakened moderate Palestinian forces like the Palestinian Authority.
Consequently, Hamas persisted with its ideology and violence as the only mode of politics. It eventually managed to inflict severe damage on Israel on 7th October 2023.
Similarly, India has procured advanced technologies like SPICE missiles and adopted punitive options post-Balakot. But it rejected political engagement with Pakistan after abrogating J&K’s autonomy.
Pakistan retains incentives for economic stability and containing extremism. But without political dialogue, it persists with anti-India hostility and terrorism.
Thus, relying solely on operational superiority while ignoring political solutions invites the adversary to persist with violence. A weaker enemy can still inflict disproportionate harm.

Conclusion: Operational superiority should be complemented by political engagement to address the underlying causes of a conflict. Purely military solutions are inadequate for strategic threats.

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Israel’s approach masked the reality that it lacked a political plan to resolve the Israel-Palestine dispute.
Netanyahu sought to keep Palestinians divided and stall the peace process by weakening the Palestinian Authority.
India has right-sized its military focus on Pakistan and revived the LoC ceasefire. But more could be done.
However, India abrogated J&K’s autonomy, signalling the dispute is non-negotiable. It eschewed talks citing cross-border terrorism.
But Pakistan has incentives to build economic stability and counter terrorism. Political dialogue could yield confidence-building measures.
Operational superiority provides no guarantee against a highly resolved weaker enemy, as seen in Israel and India’s cases.

Reference: The Hindu – The cult of operational superiority, from Israel to India