Reference News website reported on May 14 that the Turkish Daily Sabah website published an article on May 6 with the title "How Ballistic Missiles Are Changing Modern Warfare". The author is Sibel Diz, a researcher at the Turkish Political, Economic and Social Research Foundation. Compiled as follows: In the context of the Ukraine war, global military thinking is undergoing significant changes. Ballistic missiles, once the exclusive domain of major powers as a final warning tool, are now frequently used in wars, political declarations, and international conflicts. From Ukraine to the Middle East, the rise of long-range precision missiles has not only made battles more intense but also undermined the balance maintained by nuclear weapons. Missile attacks have become routine. The Ukraine war clearly shows how missile warfare is changing. With the help of U.S.-made ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile System) and British-French Storm Shadow missiles, Ukraine's striking power has reached new heights. These weapons enable Ukrainian forces to penetrate deep into Russian-controlled areas, attacking supply centers, airports, and command locations. These are not theoretical threats but real attacks that are altering Russia's operational plans and responses. In response, Russia is using its new Zircon missile, a medium-range ballistic missile with hypersonic capabilities, which is said to be able to penetrate Western missile defense systems. This exchange demonstrates that missiles are no longer just theoretical tools; they are now actively used to send signals and influence battlefield situations. What is most worrying is not just the power of these weapons but what they represent. Both sides are using advanced missiles, blurring the lines between conventional battlefield tools and weapons signaling greater, more severe threats. These missiles are now both offensive and defensive—they are used to strike targets and to deter opponents from retaliating. The psychological impact is immense: cities once considered safe due to their distance from the battlefield are now under threat, and vital facilities previously untouchable are now targeted. The Ukraine war confirms several key trends mentioned in reports such as the 2020 U.S. National Air and Space Intelligence Center Threat Assessment—trends shaping today's wars. First, missiles are often used, not just in rare or extreme circumstances. Second, mobility and concealment have become crucial for survival. Third, many new missiles now possess intelligent guidance systems, multiple warheads, complex flight paths, and decoys, making them harder to intercept by anti-missile systems. Most importantly, missile technology is spreading. Once exclusive to top military powers, many middle-tier countries and even armed groups now have access to these weapons. This means more people have more missiles—making the world less stable and more dangerous. Ukraine is not just a battlefield but a preview of future wars. It shows what future conflicts might look like: rapid deployment, long-range strikes, high precision, and widespread use of advanced technologies. Ukraine's use of ATACMS and Storm Shadow missiles to disrupt Russian logistics and military command systems proves that conventional (non-nuclear) missiles can now achieve effects once possible only with absolute air superiority or nuclear threats. This change is reshaping our understanding of deterrence. In the past, people believed that only nuclear weapons could prevent major attacks or help define the boundaries of wars. Now, Russia's use of Zircon missiles (which may have hypersonic and multiple warhead capabilities) is a clear sign that Moscow wants to demonstrate it still holds the upper hand in escalating situations. These changes are not happening only in Ukraine. In the Middle East, organizations like Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthi rebels in Yemen have built large arsenals of advanced missiles. These groups do not need nuclear weapons—growing missile forces are enough to threaten critical military and economic bases. What we see in Ukraine is also playing out in the Middle East: conventional missile attacks aimed at pressuring and retaliating are becoming more common. This has become a global trend. Threatening World Peace The frequent use of ballistic missiles in numerous conflicts is having a significant impact on world peace and international policies. First, it weakens existing arms control systems. Agreements like the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty do not cover new types of missiles, such as hypersonic missiles or advanced weapons like Zircon. Second, it fuels regional arms races. After the outbreak of the Ukraine war, countries like Poland, Finland, and Japan began building or purchasing more missile systems. To counter Russia's new missiles, the U.S. and its allies are now accelerating the development of laser weapons, early warning satellites, and artificial intelligence monitoring systems. Third, it increases the danger of misjudgment and overreaction. Every missile attack could be seen as a major threat, and if missile defense systems fail to intercept them, time and space for diplomatic solutions will decrease. We are entering an era where the first step in war is no longer the deployment of ground troops or formal diplomatic warnings, but a missile coming from afar. The Ukraine war has shown that precision missiles can do what bombers or even nuclear weapons once did: cut supply chains, destroy command centers, and alter the course of wars. This new reality brings two challenges. First, global institutions must rethink how to track, control, and negotiate these weapons to avoid major crises. Second, military defense measures need improvement—not only to intercept mass missile attacks but also to guard against targeted attacks aimed at paralyzing power grids, communications, or command systems. The threat of nuclear annihilation shaped the 20th century. The 21st century may be influenced by another danger—the proliferation of precise, fast, and easier-to-operate missile weapons. Unless the world responds wisely through smart diplomacy and stronger cooperation, people may not avoid the next war out of fear but ignite it out of confidence in being able to strike first. (Compiled/Translated by Zhu Li) Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7504136103700480539/ Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author. Please express your opinions by clicking the "upvote" or "downvote" buttons below.