Editorial: Iran Exposes US Military Weaknesses

Iran wasn't supposed to be the country exposing the limits of American firepower, but that's exactly what the New York Times editorial board argues is happening. Despite Washington's enormous military spending and early battlefield successes, Iran has managed not just to survive but to retain control of the Strait of Hormuz, the editors write. They blame the "recklessness" of President Trump in part, but add that "the problem is bigger than any single commander in chief. The United States has left itself unprepared for modern war."

Yes, the US has powerful ships and planes, but they're not particularly efficient against Iran's cheaper drones and missiles. In short, Iran has given other nations a blueprint on how to fend off US might. The editors point to four urgent fixes: better drone defenses; the development of cheaper weapons such as one-way attack drones; a more nimble industrial capacity so the Pentagon isn't hostage to a small group of big contractors; and better coordination with other industrialized democracies. "Washington can no longer just talk about reforming the military," the editorial concludes. "It has to do it, or risk making the disappointments in the Iran war become a preview of far worse." Read the full piece.