No. of Recommendations: 7
"It's not clear what the goal is that's worth burning through so much of our military capabilities. We're destroying a lot of Iranian material, but we're destroying a lot of our own material to do it. Hard to see what goal that furthers, since they'll be able to replace their equipment over time (just as we'll be able to replace our own). Sure, they suffer from an intermediate-term lack of access to that equipment - just as we'll suffer from an intermediate-term lack of access to that equipment. Using up a massive amount of the US' anti-missile systems and protective capacity on Iran doesn't seem like an effective use of that resource, especially in a world where that's a major threat profile and where we might prefer to have those resources available to deploy in other theaters (like, IDK, defending assets and allies in the Pacific theater against Chinese missiles and drones)."</V> - Albaby
It should also be noted that it isn't just that Trump is using up most of our anti-air defense resources that is weakening America. In trying to rebuild Venezuela and Iran, Trump is pushing many of the U.S. Navy ships to extend their deployments and delay their maintenance. For example, The U.S.S. Ford, America's newest, most advanced aircraft carrier was due back in port for maintenance after Venezuela. Instead of getting the required routine maintenance, Trump extended its deployment and sent it to the Middle East.
This is usually a poor choice for two main reasons:
1. It is terrible for troop morale. Sailors (and their families) expect to be home after so many months. Extending that puts a lot of stress and strain on them.
2. Delaying maintenance has real costs in the future. Just like an automobile, routine maintenance can be delayed. You can extend the time between oil changes and tune ups. If just done once and for a small amount of time it isn't that big of deal. However, if done repeatedly or for lengthy periods of time, the damage (and the repair bills) are much more substantial. Right now the U.S.S. Ford has been out on tour substantially longer than expected. In fact, it is likely to challenge deployment lengths not seen since the Vietnam War. This extended deployment is not only going to increase the risk of major problems, it also increases the cost and time needed for the routine maintenance.
So instead of returning to port after Venezuela, and being down for a few months, there is a good chance that when the U.S.S. Ford finally returns for maintenance; it will be down for more than a year. This is true of many other ships, not just the U.S.S Ford.
Trump is greatly weakening our military.
