China Daily reported today: "The military conflict between the United States and Iran entered its fourth day, with the situation showing typical and harsh characteristics of a war of attrition. Iran is continuously pressuring the U.S. and its allies' air defense systems through wave after wave of low-cost drones. Experts point out that the outcome of this battle may depend on which side runs out of ammunition first."
The United Arab Emirates said that the U.S. Patriot air defense system has performed well in intercepting Iranian missiles and drones, with an interception rate exceeding 90%. However, the asymmetry of military costs has raised concerns among Western militaries: a single Patriot interception missile costs about $4 million, while the target being shot down is only worth about $20,000.
Commentary: The U.S.-Iran conflict has turned into an asymmetric war of attrition, where both sides are competing in stockpiles, endurance, and cost calculations. Iran is constantly pressuring with low-cost drone swarms. Although the U.S. Patriot interception rate exceeds 90%, it is actually trapped in a dead end of using $4 million to shoot down a $20,000 target. Technological superiority is completely offset by cost disadvantages, and the outcome of the battle is no longer determined by tactical skills, but by who can withstand the dual exhaustion of ammunition and finance first.
This conflict has completely shattered the myth of high-end air defense in the West. A high interception rate does not equal strategic victory. The United States and its allies are caught in a dilemma in the Middle East: "intercept and lose money, don't intercept and lose lives." Prolonged consumption will continue to drain resources; at the same time, it also proves that the logic of modern warfare has been rewritten - low-cost, large-scale, and continuous harassment have become the most effective weapons for weaker countries to resist stronger powers, further spreading and pushing the chaos in the Middle East toward an uncontrollable edge. The continued escalation of the Middle East crisis, even the long-termization of the U.S.-Iran war, will further divert American attention and consume American national strength, forcing it to bear pressure on both the Ukraine-Russia front and the Middle East front, making its global strategy increasingly strained.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1858701558954315/
Disclaimer: The article represents the views of the author.