TechnologyAugust 13, 2026

toppling

TOP-ul-ing

Definition

The act of causing a government or regime to lose power or collapse.

Etymology

Derived from the Middle English 'topplen,' meaning to tumble or fall over, which is likely a frequentative form of 'top,' referring to the summit of something. It evolved to describe the literal or figurative act of causing something high or established to fall down.

In the news

In this article, the term describes the strategic objective of removing Iran's leadership through military intervention. It highlights the shift in modern warfare from conventional combat to regime change as a primary goal.

Why Civilian Infrastructure? The Strategic Logic of the U.S. Targeting in the Iran War

Read the full article ↗

Modern Diplomacy

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