The claim that the performance of the armed forces surprised analysts is mentioned in the context of external pressures, but the evidence provided does not contain two or more independent sources confirming this specific sentiment or analysis. The web search results mention general readiness or analysis of deterrence, but not the specific claim of surprise among analysts.

Multiple web search results discuss attacks on civilian infrastructure (hospitals, schools), but they present different perspectives (e.g., US experts discussing US actions, or an Iranian investigation finding military use of civilian sites). No single source confirms the claim that 'opponents' are attacking civilian infrastructure in clear violation of international law across multiple independent outlets.

The claim regarding contradictory goals (promoting progress vs. returning to the Stone Age) is only explicitly linked to the context of 'aggressors' in the provided web search results. While Wikipedia provides definitions for 'Stone Age' and 'Neolithic,' it does not provide evidence linking these concepts to the stated contradictory goals of the aggressors in the manner claimed.