Originally Posted by
artee
Food for thought, given that the UK has effectively no anti-ballistic missile defence, bar any T45s that may be available.
Makes POTUS claim of having destroyed 100% of Iran's military capability a bit ....well.
The latest reports that US may declare victory and mosey off back to CONUS pose some interesting challenges. Facts - the daily launches of missiles and drones clearly demonstrate that Iran's capability while degraded remains potent enough to inflict pressure across the region. If the US retires, it will fall on the regional powers to "negotiate" the near term future with Iran. They will need support from those that depend on the Gulf for petroleum and by-products. Huge increase in Chinese presence/influence anyone?
The economic carnage resulting from US action is baked in - it doesn't go away because the USN is over the horizon heading home. It will reverberate for years. The damage is done.
The terrorist threat is hugely increased in the West and will remain so for a generation.
Do we need another SDR?