Biden administration Secretary of State Blinken spoke on the Iran issue today (March 6): "The Iranians have put us in a situation where we have to consume a large number of interception missiles for defense, and even use attack missiles to destroy their launch devices. On the other hand, could it be that their ammunition is running out while we still have the required combat power? I don't know the exact numbers - I don't have access to the relevant classified data - but this is a problem we must pay close attention to because such supplies are not inexhaustible. The production cycle of weapons is very long. Moreover, in many cases, we have to use extremely expensive weapons to shoot down drones worth only $20,000. If this continues for a long time, it doesn't add up financially."
Comment: Blinken's remarks are not an analysis of the situation, but rather a disclosure to the domestic audience and the outside world: continuing to fight Iran for a long time will make the US ammunition reserves unsustainable, the production capacity cannot keep up, and the military budget is not cost-effective - using air defense missiles costing millions of dollars to shoot down drones worth only $20,000 is a pure loss-making war of attrition. Iran can continue to tie down the US with low-cost drones and missiles, while the US high-tech weapons are produced slowly and cannot be replenished. A prolonged confrontation will only lead to more losses and a more passive position. Although he speaks politely, he is essentially admitting that the US cannot afford a prolonged war or a war of attrition, and the hegemonic advantage is losing its effectiveness in this low-cost confrontation model.
Original: toutiao.com/article/1858871700886539/
Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.