Originally Posted by
Lowslung
Not “sold” on anything, just been paying attention for the last 35 years. As someone who’s burned more than my fair share of taxpayer funded JP-8, I’ve seen how this goes from the front seat. Not interested in sending another generation on the same adventure. Nor am I interested in watching the military that I fund through my taxes be worn out and hollowed out on another misguided side quest in the desert. Russia and China are absolutely licking their chops at the prospect of bogging us down in another conflict in the Middle East, chipping away at our military capabilities by the day, while they move unimpeded in their own perceived spheres of influence. You know; chess not checkers & all that.
It would seem, at least as things stand now, that the kinetic phase of this is mostly over, at least in terms of large uses of our stockpile. I would argue we have been resupplying during all of these pauses, and we have been pushing manufacturers to up production. I am not saying you are wrong per se, just that there are varying levels of right. I also think we have shown that for at least the weapons China and Russia have given Iran, they are not an issue for us. I don't want another long-term war either, but I still feel more good has come of this than bad, at least for now.
Keep in mind, this has been something that has been discussed and debated on for 50 years, and finally, someone is doing something about it, besides sending pallets of cash. Our partners in the Middle East, not just Israel, seem very happy that we went in and took care of this problem, as Iran is just as much of a pain in the backside for them as it is for anyone else. The only thing that I don't think we will get in the short term, sadly, is a regime change away from the IRGC or the clerics. Perhaps that happens down the road, but I think Trump is looking for an exit path that will clear the dust (pun intended) and get us out.