The war in Iran has become a test of US power - and the result is troubling: "simply less capable"

The war in Iran reveals a erosion in US military capabilities, its allies fear its ability to act, and the Pentagon is accelerating production. Meanwhile, the administration is promoting rapprochement with China that includes freezing arms deals to Taiwan, while Russia produces over 100 ballistic missiles every month.

The war in Iran has become a test of US power, and the result is troubling: its allies fear not only Trump's willingness to act, but also his ability. The war is depleting stockpiles, Ukraine remains without Patriots, and the Pentagon is accelerating the pace of production. Meanwhile, the administration in Washington is promoting rapprochement with China, including freezing arms deals worth $14 billion to Taiwan, while critical military assets have been transferred to the Middle Eastern theater. Moscow and other rivals have shifted their defense industries to a war economy, while Lockheed Martin supplied only 620 Patriot interceptors last year. Western intelligence estimates that Russia produces over 100 ballistic missiles every month. This gap has strategic implications: Ukraine remains defenseless against Russian missile barrages, and in the Gulf, countries like Saudi Arabia oppose renewing the campaign against Iran for fear their interceptor stocks will not suffice.

The war in Iran has become a test of US power - and the result is troubling: "simply less capable"