Russia, China could take advantage of low US weapons stockpiles to start war with America - NYT

Senior US officials and defense experts told the New York Times that Russia and China could be emboldened to start a hot conflict with America due to rapidly depleting US weapons stockpiles, depleted in the war against Iran. The shortage could last beyond the Trump administration, leaving future presidencies vulnerable. The US has used virtually all of its highly accurate long-range missiles, and the Pentagon has moved assets from Asia and Europe to the Middle East, with cascading consequences for morale and maintenance.

Senior US officials and defense experts told the New York Times that Russia and China could be emboldened to start a hot conflict with America due to the US's rapidly depleting weapons supply, which has been burned through in the war against Iran. Sources told the NYT that the shortage could last beyond the Trump administration's tenure, leaving future presidencies vulnerable to Russian and Chinese attacks. Tom Karako of CSIS called the depleted stockpile a 'generational annihilation of the means of conventional deterrence,' noting that Russia and China may act deliberately at a time of their choosing. Reuters reported that the US has used 'virtually all' of its highly accurate long-range missiles, each costing about a million dollars. The Pentagon has moved ships, aircraft, and air defense units from Asia and Europe to the Middle East, with 'cascading consequences' for morale and maintenance. The low stockpile has caused tension between Trump and the Pentagon, with Gen. Dan Caine seeking 'off-ramps' and having informed Trump of shortages before the war. The Washington Post reported over 850 Tomahawk missiles, over 1,000 THAAD missiles, and at least 1,300 tactical ballistic missiles fired in the first month, with at least 1,500 Patriot interceptors used, leaving the stockpile at a low of 1,700. Trump has pushed contractors to ramp up production and has downplayed the issue, blaming predecessors. The shortage affects Ukraine, which lacks interceptors, and Asia, with diversions from Indo-Pacific Command and South Korea. Analysts say a long conflict benefits Beijing and Moscow, potentially causing Russia to consider incursion into NATO territory.