How many military strikes has the US launched in Trump's 2nd term? We compiled every strike acknowledged by the Pentagon. The total: 14,415 worldwide.
The data shows Trump's proclivity to use military force worldwide -- even at great cost. That's unlikely to change: more strikes are coming. (1/4)
Less than 12 hours after posting this research, the count of US military strikes is already obsolete.
A high optempo and enormous munitions consumption in the Iran war is mortgaging future US military readiness. The risk is being less prepared for greater challenges, like a potential conflict with China.
Featured in this must-read from @mgerrydoyle.bsky.social: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Despite the Iran war tying up significant military resources, strikes continued in other theaters. The US continued to hit alleged drug vessels in the Western Hemisphere. It also continued its shadow war in Africa, launching near-weekly strikes against al-Shabaab and ISIS affiliates. (3/4)
The enormous Iran war strikes dwarf the rest. But US strikes in Yemen were also sizable: over 1000 in under three months during Operation Rough Rider. Strikes against ISIS in Iraq and Syria continued, furthering the US military campaign that began in 2014. Not included: several ground raids. (2/4)
Can Europe buy its way into keeping Trump committed to NATO? Allies are hoping more arms purchases, co-production, and JVs will preserve US buy-in. But that strategy faces challenges and may not be enough as Trump prizes investment in the US.
Quoted in @politico.eu: www.politico.eu/article/rutt...
did you know reaper drones are "attritable" but also very expensive? well now you do!
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Trump's 14,415 strikes show a pattern of repeated hits, not just one-time action. This risks pulling the US deeper into long conflicts -- the very wars Trump wanted to avoid. New targets are now in the crosshairs, with Trump threatening that Cuba may be next (4/4)
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
oh hey, you know who else came up with a $1.2 trillion price tag? www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
in december. that’s right www.bloomberg.com/graphics/202...
A top Pentagon official’s remarks that the US had halted arms sales to Taiwan to ensure sufficient munitions for the Iran war are the latest sign that the conflict has sapped American military readine...
Iran has destroyed more than two dozen MQ-9 Reaper drones operated by US forces since the war began, a significant loss worth nearly $1 billion that represents 20% of the Pentagon’s prewar inventory f...
Swift, punitive strikes are meant to deliver results without boots on the ground. Yet they can leave the US mired in the very conflicts they were meant to resolve.
President Donald Trump’s Golden Dome missile-defense shield will cost as much as $1.2 trillion to deploy and operate, six times above current forecasts, according to a new estimate — and would still l...
Building President Trump’s proposed missile and air defense system, meant to strike down threats all the way into space, would be an enormous task — with a huge price.
www.bloomberg.com
How many military strikes has the US launched in Trump's 2nd term? We compiled every strike acknowledged by the Pentagon. The total: 14,415 worldwide.
The data shows Trump's proclivity to use military force worldwide -- even at great cost. That's unlikely to change: more strikes are coming. (1/4)
oh hey, you know who else came up with a $1.2 trillion price tag? www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Becca Wasser
President Donald Trump’s Golden Dome missile-defense shield will cost as much as $1.2 trillion to deploy and operate, six times above current forecasts, according to a new estimate — and would still l...
