7 hours ago
- The U.S. has used up two-thirds of its Patriot interceptors, more than a third of THAAD interceptors, and a third of Tomahawk missiles since hostilities with Iran began, with replenishment taking years.
- The shift to cheap Iranian drones ($30,000 each) forces the U.S. to use expensive air-defense systems like Patriot PAC-3 ($ millions each), highlighting a costly mismatch.
- The munitions shortfall limits U.S. strategic options, such as escalating ground operations, and sends a message to allies that reliance on American military technology is less reliable.
- Bipartisan neglect of the U.S. military-industrial base over three decades, including shipbuilding and post-9/11 low-intensity wars, left the country unprepared for protracted conflicts.