US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s recent briefings on the ‘Epic Fury’ strategy toward Iran reflect ideas similar to those proposed by Italian General Giulio Douhet more than a century ago. Douhet, in his 1921 book ‘The Command of the Air,’ argued that future wars would be decided by large-scale aerial bombardment targeting not only military forces but also civilians, infrastructure, and supply systems. Hegseth’s emphasis on destroying Iran through airstrikes echoes this early 20th-century doctrine.

Although Hegseth has described his approach as a new American strategy, the resemblance to Douhet’s concepts suggests it is not an innovative war policy. The US official has also spoken about breaking civilian morale, stating that their mission involves killing enemies and undermining their will to fight. He expressed hope that the Iranian people would seize what he called an extraordinary opportunity, aligning with President Donald Trump’s message that “now is your time.”

The report highlights that the belief in easy victory through air power may be a misconception, as history shows the limits of such strategies.