In the early hours of June 1, 2025, Ukraine launched “Operation Spiderweb,” executing a daring drone strike on Russian airfields that decimated critical military assets, including A-50 early-warning aircraft and strategic bombers. This audacious operation was made possible through meticulous planning and a long-term commitment to subversive tactics, executed from within enemy territory without detection. Such a breach of Russian defenses highlights a seismic shift in the landscape of modern warfare.
Just days later, on June 13, Israel’s Mossad carried out “Rising Lion,” a similarly bold strike targeting Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Mossad agents infiltrated Tehran, setting up drone bases and dismantling air defenses, all while eliminating key figures integral to Iran’s military strategy. Both operations showcase a new paradigm of war: covert infiltration and calculated patience that exploit the vulnerabilities of larger adversaries.
A New Era of Warfare
Operation Spiderweb and Rising Lion signify a transformative shift in warfare, ditching traditional military might for stealthy, asymmetric tactics. Both U.S. allies demonstrated how smaller forces can outmaneuver entrenched giants without the burden of conventional warfare. Ukrainian drones, crafted and concealed over time, managed to target and destroy equipment valued in the billions, showing that creativity can turn the tide of conflict.
Mossad’s operation took years of planning, revealing the level of commitment required for success. Featuring drones costing just a fraction of enemy systems, these strikes illustrate how innovators can reroute power dynamics in warfare—all while undermining conventional defenses.
America’s Vulnerabilities
The United States stands alarmingly exposed to similar tactics, thanks to lax immigration policies and inadequate scrutiny of foreign investments. The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) is tasked with overseeing foreign land purchases, yet its limited authority allows dangerous lapses that could invite subversion.
A glaring example is the Chinese Fufeng Group’s acquisition of land near Grand Forks Air Force Base, a crucial hub for U.S. intelligence. This region represents a vulnerability, and lawmakers are just beginning to understand the ramifications of foreign encroachment on sensitive military sites.
Moreover, warnings about Chinese container ships docking at U.S. ports with concealed drone technology further expose our infrastructure to potential sabotage. Tom Shugart from the Center for a New American Security recently noted the danger of allowing vessels owned by Chinese military enterprises access to our shores unchecked.
China’s Strategy
China mirrors the patient, subversive tactics shown by Ukraine and Israel. Through the Belt and Road Initiative and global investments, Beijing is laying the groundwork for strategic domination. With shell companies masking ownership, oversight becomes increasingly difficult, allowing China to gather intelligence and prepare for disruptive actions.
This threat is not hypothetical. Analysts are sounding the alarm about a scenario where Chinese-aligned assets on American soil could target military logistics during a conflict over Taiwan. Drones could be launched from within the U.S. to disrupt crucial operations—emulating the precision strikes seen in Ukraine.
Taking Action Now
The United States must act boldly to safeguard its national security. First, Congress must expand CFIUS’s authority to scrutinize foreign land purchases near military installations. Second, port security needs to be strengthened, with stringent inspections of vessels flagged by adversaries. Third, counterintelligence operations must be ramped up, drawing inspiration from Israel’s exceptional intelligence capabilities. Lastly, state legislatures must enact laws to limit foreign ownership of critical land.
Ukraine and Israel have proven that persistent infiltration can dismantle military giants, and China is already poised to exploit America’s weaknesses. The question is not if, but when we will see these threats materialize.
