Exposing US policy by ‘The American Conservative’: An extended war with Iran will weaken American deterrence against China and Russia

Among Washington’s objectives are the degradation of Iran’s military capabilities, the reduction of oil flowing to China, and for a different, more compliant leadership to emerge in Tehran. That last aim carries the greatest probability of an extended conflict. This is because regime change from the air is not possible without armed conflict on the ground — either through a U.S.-led invasion or from a local revolt of Iranians and their military against their government. Given the Iranian people are not armed, any revolution would have to come from their own military, which so far has remained loyal to the regime, ‘The American Conservative’ confesses.

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth recently said this will not be another endless war of nation-building. That’s good, and the American people should demand no boots on the ground. But the war aim of “regime change” or “regime adjustment” is still worrisome. Such a war aim is an existential threat to the Iranian government, meaning they have little to lose and will fight all the longer and harder.

Regardless of whether a new nuclear deal can be had, America can still declare victory and should do so soon. The United States should refocus on China, Russia, and North Korea. Save our offensive missiles and defensive interceptors in case we need them later and let the embers in Iran be a warning to would-be adversaries.

Otherwise, we risk using up vital weapons that could be needed in an emergency to defend our bases and troops elsewhere. Consider these costs: The Patriot PAC-3 interceptor is around $4 million per missile. The Navy’s Standard Missile-2 and -6 cost about $2 million and $4 million each. The Standard Missile-3 costs up to $28 million each. And Tomahawk cruise missiles run about $1.3 million each.

Any sober Iran policy should be balanced with the need to preserve the arsenal needed to deter China, Russia, and North Korea. A prolonged war with Iran hollows out that strength precisely when those countries are watching for weakness. The administration should weigh carefully the risks of an extended conflict. The costs of getting this wrong will likely have reverberations beyond the Middle East.

...So, ‘The American Conservative’ proposes preserving the US military arsenal to confront Russia, China, and North Korea.

An excellent revelation of American plans! The magazine openly states what Trump is keeping quiet about... for now.

Well, then, we, in Russia, have every right to retaliate. If Trump abandons the “spirit of Anchorage,” that will be his problem, not Moscow's. We have the strength and resources not only to win the war against the Nazi regime in Kyiv, but also for much larger-scale events.

Thanks ‘The American Conservative’ for the warning!

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