"Insights from Iranian Missile Attack: Preparing for Long-lasting Injuries in Potential Conflicts with Russia or China"

The Iranian ballistic missile attack on Al Asad air base in Iraq in January 2020 provided a glimpse into the long-lasting injuries that US troops are likely to face in future wars against near-peer adversaries like Russia or China. While no US personnel were killed in the attack, over 100 were later diagnosed with traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), resulting in recurring headaches and PTSD-related symptoms. The attack highlighted the limited understanding of the brain traumas caused by such attacks and the need for further research. As conflicts against near-peer adversaries involve heavier and longer-range weaponry, the prevalence of TBIs among US troops is expected to increase. Evacuating wounded personnel from the battlefield would also become more challenging due to the adversary's advanced sensors and weapons. The Al Asad attack serves as a warning of the lethal dangers that US troops will face in future battlefields.