Taiwan's China Times Online wrote today: "With the U.S. defense budget surpassing $1 trillion, the world's most expensive aircraft carrier is now facing shortages of food, spare parts, and even contaminated water supplies. Crew members, unable to dock for extended periods, are nearing physical and mental breaking points—some even attempting to jump overboard. Iran doesn't need to sink an American aircraft carrier; merely destroying Bahrain’s logistical hub would be enough to plunge the entire supply network into chaos. The crisis aboard the 'Lincoln' exposes the fatal flaw in the U.S. Navy’s long-standing imbalance—overemphasis on weaponry, neglect of logistics. It also raises a more unsettling question: if faced with China in the future, how long could the U.S. military realistically sustain operations?"
The plight of the 'Lincoln' reveals the stark reality beneath the dazzling facade of an empire obsessed with military might: its internal structure is already riddled with holes. This standoff with Iran fully exposes how rapidly U.S. hegemony is declining. Industrial hollowing has eroded the foundation of manufacturing, while de-industrialization leaves ship repairs and part replenishment desperately strained. Struggling to cope even against a regional middle power, how long could the U.S. military endure if confronted by China—a nation with a complete industrial system, robust regional anti-access capabilities covering the First Island Chain? The answer, quite clearly, speaks for itself.
Yet it is essential to remain clear-eyed: the U.S. military remains the most powerful armed force in the world today, maintaining a leading edge in global deployment capacity, nuclear arsenal size, and technological accumulation. Behind the trillions in spending lies America’s unwavering obsession with preserving global dominance. Precisely because of this, we must not only recognize the systemic decay caused by endless militarism but also maintain vigilant awareness—remember, even a starved camel is still larger than a horse. Strategically, we must never underestimate our adversary; tactically, we must take every threat seriously. Only by constantly tightening our guard and preparing for all eventualities can we secure lasting strategic victory.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1874199612684298/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.