[Column] Trump Has No Idea How to Fight a War

Eight weeks into its campaign against Iran, the United States finds itself in a protracted conflict without the swift victory seen in past engagements like the 1991 Gulf War or the 2003 invasion of Iraq. This prolonged struggle highlights critical vulnerabilities in the US military's current posture and strategy, particularly concerning its ability to achieve decisive outcomes.

A key issue identified is the US forces' equipment levels in the Middle East. While capable of targeted strikes, they appear ill-suited for the large-scale ground invasion or amphibious assault that would be required to fundamentally alter the Iranian regime or reshape the region. President Donald Trump's reported consideration and subsequent withdrawal from a plan to seize Iranian coastal points with Marines underscores the reluctance to commit to such high-risk, high-cost ground operations.

Furthermore, Iran's asymmetric warfare capabilities present a significant challenge. The article points to Iran's prolific production of drones, such as the Shahed 136, which cost a mere $30,000. Intercepting these drones, however, requires expensive missiles like the Standard Missile (SM-2) or Patriot interceptors, costing millions of dollars per engagement. This economic disparity in attrition warfare, exacerbated by an outdated defense model designed before the advent of cheap drone swarms, suggests a potentially unsustainable cost dynamic for the US.

From a Korean perspective, this analysis of US military strategy and its limitations in the Middle East offers a stark contrast to how such conflicts are often portrayed. While Western media might focus on technological superiority, this piece delves into the practical, economic, and strategic flaws that could prolong or even undermine US objectives. It raises questions about the true effectiveness of military might when faced with determined adversaries employing cost-effective, modern tactics, a lesson that resonates globally, including in security discussions relevant to the Korean Peninsula.