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{{quotebox-float|And anyone paying attention has learned that — against the expectation of the vast majority of people — the US arsenal of unscalable hand-made boutique weaponry has not only performed poorly in its various roles, but the combination of wars in Ukraine and Iran has reduced US stockpiles to near-crisis levels.

{{quotebox-float|And anyone paying attention has learned that — against the expectation of the vast majority of people — the US arsenal of unscalable hand-made boutique weaponry has not only performed poorly in its various roles, but the combination of wars in Ukraine and Iran has reduced US stockpiles to near-crisis levels.

Furthermore, the US Navy got run out of the Red Sea by the Yemeni.

Furthermore, the [[US Navy]] got run out of the [[Red Sea]] by the [[Yemen]]i.

Think about that.

Think about that.

They were quite literally chased away under fire, with empty magazines. Two carrier strike groups in succession. Amazing.

They were quite literally chased away under fire, with empty magazines. Two carrier strike groups in succession. Amazing.

It is easily one of the most shocking developments of the past several years of war on this planet. The US Navy, by their own admission, was “traumatized” by the experience, which several officers claimed to have been the most intense US naval battle since the Second World War.

It is easily one of the most shocking developments of the past several years of [[war]] on this [[planet]]. The [[US Navy]], by their own admission, was “traumatized” by the experience, which several officers claimed to have been the most intense US naval battle since the [[Second World War]].

Against the Yemeni.

Against the [[Yemen]]i.

Again ... think about that.

Again ... think about that.

Because, shortly thereafter, someone somewhere decided, “Well, those Houthi fellas are a hard nut to crack. Let’s try the Iranians instead. All they know how to do is make rugs.”

Because, shortly thereafter, someone somewhere decided, “Well, those [[Houthi]] fellas are a hard nut to crack. Let’s try the [[Iranian]]s instead. All they know how to do is make rugs.”

And now, as we speak, there are two carrier strike groups cowering somewhere in the calm deep waters of the Arabian Sea, at least 1000 km distant from the Iranian coastline.

And now, as we speak, there are two carrier strike groups cowering somewhere in the calm deep waters of the [[Arabian Sea]], at least 1000 km distant from the [[Iranian]] coastline.

'''Closer in, there be monsters.'''

'''Closer in, there be monsters.'''

They can’t, and they won’t do anything meaningful from that position. They’re just hiding out and biding time until they get relieved.

They can’t, and they won’t do anything meaningful from that position. They’re just hiding out and biding time until they get relieved.

Getting a US Navy warship smashed up at the hands of long-vilified and ridiculed Iranians represents an utterly unacceptable outcome for this war. It must be avoided at absolutely all costs.

Getting a [[US Navy]] [[war]]ship smashed up at the hands of long-vilified and ridiculed [[Iranian]]s represents an utterly unacceptable outcome for this [[war]]. It must be avoided at absolutely all costs.

You see, for a variety of complex reasons within the peculiar American psyche, the US Navy is the undisputed Master of the Seas. Losing a US warship to what they are predisposed to regard as an inferior race, would be considered an intolerable humiliation. Better to hide for now, and fashion a victory story ''ex post facto''.

You see, for a variety of complex reasons within the peculiar [[American]] [[psyche]], the [[US Navy]] is the undisputed Master of the Seas. Losing a [[US]] [[war]]ship to what they are predisposed to regard as an inferior [[race]], would be considered an intolerable humiliation. Better to hide for now, and fashion a victory story ''ex post facto''.

In any case, it should have long-since been evident to discerning observers that the global readiness of the United States to prosecute big league war anywhere at this time is already compromised, and cannot be reconstituted in even the medium-term. Very arguably not within a decade.

In any case, it should have long-since been evident to discerning observers that the global readiness of the [[United States]] to prosecute big league [[war]] anywhere at this time is already compromised, and cannot be reconstituted in even the medium-term. Very arguably not within a decade.

They have blown their wad. The US/NATO/Israel have managed to blow through a half-century of weapons development and production — and it’s all for naught.

They have blown their wad. The [[US]]/[[NATO]]/[[Israel]] have managed to blow through a half-century of [[weapon]]s development and production — and it’s all for naught.

The 20th century war-making stuff they have left is simply not suited to the realities of 21st century war. And they don’t have anywhere near enough of anything to fight a serious war anyway.}}

The 20th century war-making stuff they have left is simply not suited to the realities of 21st century war. And they don’t have anywhere near enough of anything to fight a serious war anyway.}}