THE DIGITAL FRONT: AI-SUPPORTED CYBER WARFARE BETWEEN ISRAEL AND IRAN

Abstract

The rapid acceleration of technological advancements not only facilitates various aspects of daily life but also introduces new security threats. A review of wars that have occurred throughout world history shows that they were predominantly conducted through conventional means. However, in recent years, a new dimension has emerged, with states increasingly engaging in conflicts within the cyber domain. Israel and Iran are two major rival powers in the Middle East. In recent years, direct conventional military confrontations have occurred between the two states, and in parallel with these developments, the cyber domain has increasingly evolved into a complementary and strategic front of warfare. The aim of this study is to examine the mechanisms and methods through which cyber warfare between Israel and Iran has been conducted. The research analyzes the sectors targeted by both states in their cyber operations and the specific stages at which artificial intelligence technologies are employed. The cases investigated in this study are based on recent news reports, policy documents, and analytical reports published by think tanks specializing in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. According to the findings, cyberattacks in the Israel-Iran rivalry function both as an operational tool aimed at disabling critical infrastructure and as a strategic instrument employed in psychological warfare and information operations to shape public perception. These results highlight the growing centrality of cyber capabilities and AI technologies in contemporary interstate conflicts.

Keywords

• Cyber War
• Artificial Intelligence
• Cybersecurity
• Israel
• Iran

DİJİTAL CEPHE: İSRAİL VE İRAN ARASINDAKİ YAPAY ZEKÂ DESTEKLİ SİBER SAVAŞ

Abstract

Teknolojik gelişmelerin her geçen gün hızlı bir şekilde artması, bir yönüyle gündelik hayatı kolaylaştırırken, diğer yönüyle yeni güvenlik tehditlerini de beraberinde getirmektedir. Dünya tarihinde bugüne kadar cereyan eden savaşlara bakıldığında, savaşların çoğunlukla geleneksel yöntemlerle icra edildiği görülmektedir. Ancak son yıllarda, savaşlara yeni bir boyut eklenmiş olup, siber ortamda devletler arasında çatışmalar yaşanmaktadır. İsrail ve İran, Ortadoğu’da birbirlerine rakip iki önemli güçtür. Son dönemde İsrail ile İran arasında doğrudan konvansiyonel askeri çatışmalar yaşanmış ve buna paralel olarak siber uzay da savaşın tamamlayıcı ve stratejik bir cephesi hâline gelmiştir. Bu çalışmanın amacı, İsrail ve İran arasındaki siber savaşın hangi vasıtalar aracılığıyla ve ne şekilde icra edildiğini ortaya koymaktır. Bu çalışmada, İsrail ve İran’ın hangi sektörlere yönelik siber saldırılar gerçekleştirdikleri ve yapay zekâdan hangi adımlarda istifade ettikleri analiz edilmiştir. Bu araştırmanın örnekleri, siber güvenlik ve yapay zekâ konularında yayımlanmış güncel haber içerikleri, politika belgeleri ve düşünce kuruluşlarının analiz raporları temel alınarak oluşturulmuştur. Bulgulara göre, İsrail-İran mücadelesinde siber saldırılar hem kritik altyapıları işlevsiz hale getirmeyi hedefleyen bir operasyonel araç hem de kamuoyu algısını yönlendiren, psikolojik harp ve bilgi operasyonlarını icra eden stratejik bir güç unsuru olarak kullanılmaktadır.

Keywords

• Siber Savaş
• Yapay Zekâ
• Siber Güvenlik
• İsrail
• İran

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