"Israel has insisted throughout the war that it is not running low on interceptors..."
Both Israel, and our White House (which Israel currently occupies) have been perpetrating lies about their goals, about the actual damage and casualties, etc. -- and about the reality that they are losing the war.
This is the part of the story that officials never want the public to focus on: the “iron dome” myth of limitless defense is breaking down in real time. If interceptor stocks are truly down to double digits, then the entire strategy of absorbing and outlasting missile attacks is collapsing.
What makes this worse is the blatant disconnect between rhetoric and reality. You have leaders projecting total control and “security,” while behind the scenes they’re rationing interceptors and relying on the U.S. Navy as a backstop. That’s not strength—that’s dependency.
And let’s be clear: this isn’t just Israel’s problem. The U.S. is burning through its own stockpiles, pulling from reserves meant for other global conflicts, all to sustain a war that clearly isn’t going according to plan. That has serious implications far beyond this region.
If anything, this reporting exposes a dangerous illusion at the heart of modern warfare—the idea that high-tech defense systems can substitute for political solutions. They can’t. And when they start running out, the consequences escalate fast.
one has to ask- for all the money we pay for defense (aggression), we get nothing. I'm sure there is lots of skimming off the top.
I did a civil war re-enactor project once (I was a theatrical costumer before I was fired from my career of 40 years over my refusal to take a covid vaccine) and in researching uniforms, learned that a war profiteer made uniforms of wool that was so loosely woven that soldiers' knees broke through in a regular march. "Unscrupulous contractors used this material—made from ground-up rags—to maximize profits, leading to a reputation for poor quality that gave the term its modern meaning for "substandard goods. that is where we get the word "shoddy."
I think of this often now. we spend a fortune on the Pentagon and it can't pass an audit and can't supply us with reliable weapons in a useable time frame. our Intelligence Dept can't give good advice to the President (who must shoulder the blame for this debacle). our Public Health Departments have presided over decreasing lifespans, increasing waistlines and general ill health. the Dept of Ed fails to educate anyone.
we are living in a Potemkin Village, all smoke and mirrors, resting on old dubious laurels and floating on unsustainable debt.
I'm hoping the war with Iran cuts us back to size. I'd like to live in a functioning country for awhile; I'm pretty sick of living in an Empire.
<<As you may have noticed, Drop Site has been increasingly under attack from people and organizations affiliated with pro-Israel propaganda efforts. The result, perhaps surprisingly to them, has been a surge in donations and subscriptions from readers supportive of our mission: to do honest reporting no matter where the facts lead.>>
Kind of reminds me of that time when a certain “nation” wanted to destroy another nation and started ramping up its attacks using a slew of (easily debunked) false allegations. The result, perhaps surprisingly to both of them, was a surge in the victim country’s defenders and revenue stream.
What both Eitan and the Trump administration failed to fully understand was this: when there is a decrease in the supply of a vital and precious commodity, its value inevitably increases.
In a world overflowing with misinformation, lies and propaganda, access to timely and trustworthy information is perhaps an even more valuable commodity than crude oil ;)
Thank you to everyone at DropSite for your tireless efforts and professionalism despite being the target of such vile & unjustified attacks.
We, the U.S. taxpayers, pay taxes and take on debt to be paid by our children, grandchildren and beyond to finance protection for Israel that they require in order to continue behaving as they have been.
What if we stopped supporting politicians financed by AIPAC?
What if we outlawed people with dual citizenships from working or advising our government?
What if we jailed war criminals living within our own borders?
It would be a real step towards MAGA!! Arrest, try and punish All the Bonafide WAR CRIMINALS commensurate w/their heinous crimes! Put bounties on the heads of the int'l real terrorists and bring them to justice! Claw back ill-gotten gains and prosecute all the market manipulators!! Kinda like there is no rule of law in our country right now for a certain class of people! Blatantly robbing WTP and many future generations blind!!
The money I spent on a subscription has been well spent. Thanks to you and DemocracyNow!, Zeteo news, Breaking Points (where Ryan Grim does double duty), and Aljazeera English I have a much better understanding of what is going on! Without you guys we would be overwhelmed by the "fog of war".
The first casualty of war is the Truth - now you know why the project 2025 GHOULS OF THE HERITAGE FOUNDATION, like FCC chairman Carr, want Larry Ellison and his Nepo baby son to buy up all of our media and turn it into Trump state messaging - he already owns TikTok and CBS and his soon gonna own CNN and HBO
Iran is making a bad mistake in letting their attackers come up for air! We've all seen how their immoral, genocidal, back-stabbing attackers play. Press your advantage and do not let them catch their breath or you will regret it forever! Fool me once...shame on you, fool me 47 times...shame on me!! Free the world of the insane ZioNazis NOW...the civilized world will thank you!!
I'll raise you 3 THAADs. I'll see your 3 THAADs and raise you 3 Patriots and 5 SM-3s. I'll see your 3 Patriots and 5 SM-3s and raise your 1 tactical nuke. OK I"m in.
I expect one of two things will be likely to happen within the next week. Either the US makes a big offensive move against Irans civilian Infrastructure or Israel makes the move against Irans infrastructure. Either way the end result will be the same further drawing in China and Russia.
I had the same disgusted reaction. People are going without food, housing, and health insurance, but why not blow $3 million of our tax dollars on an instrument of death.
Can you do an article on the nitty gritty of cluster munitions. I've seen pictures of them in a missile's hold being distributed in the air but what are they capable of when they hit a target. They are pretty small, aren't they. Do they damage buildings? If so, how much?
Mary Anne: Thank you pointing that out. I would be amazed if they were not manufactured in the U.S., Germany and France too. But I would like to round out my understanding of them by learning what they are capable of (besides tricking kids into thinking they are toys).
Let me go full Postal and suggest an edit to " ... a THAAD interceptor, which can stop a ballistic missile in its terminal descent phase ..." writing "a THAAD interceptor, which is improbably claimed to stop a ballistic missile in its terminal descent phase".
Thanks, Murtaza, for the breakdown. Ceasefires might be more effective when combatants have fewer things to fire...
"Israel has insisted throughout the war that it is not running low on interceptors..."
Both Israel, and our White House (which Israel currently occupies) have been perpetrating lies about their goals, about the actual damage and casualties, etc. -- and about the reality that they are losing the war.
This is the part of the story that officials never want the public to focus on: the “iron dome” myth of limitless defense is breaking down in real time. If interceptor stocks are truly down to double digits, then the entire strategy of absorbing and outlasting missile attacks is collapsing.
What makes this worse is the blatant disconnect between rhetoric and reality. You have leaders projecting total control and “security,” while behind the scenes they’re rationing interceptors and relying on the U.S. Navy as a backstop. That’s not strength—that’s dependency.
And let’s be clear: this isn’t just Israel’s problem. The U.S. is burning through its own stockpiles, pulling from reserves meant for other global conflicts, all to sustain a war that clearly isn’t going according to plan. That has serious implications far beyond this region.
If anything, this reporting exposes a dangerous illusion at the heart of modern warfare—the idea that high-tech defense systems can substitute for political solutions. They can’t. And when they start running out, the consequences escalate fast.
one has to ask- for all the money we pay for defense (aggression), we get nothing. I'm sure there is lots of skimming off the top.
I did a civil war re-enactor project once (I was a theatrical costumer before I was fired from my career of 40 years over my refusal to take a covid vaccine) and in researching uniforms, learned that a war profiteer made uniforms of wool that was so loosely woven that soldiers' knees broke through in a regular march. "Unscrupulous contractors used this material—made from ground-up rags—to maximize profits, leading to a reputation for poor quality that gave the term its modern meaning for "substandard goods. that is where we get the word "shoddy."
I think of this often now. we spend a fortune on the Pentagon and it can't pass an audit and can't supply us with reliable weapons in a useable time frame. our Intelligence Dept can't give good advice to the President (who must shoulder the blame for this debacle). our Public Health Departments have presided over decreasing lifespans, increasing waistlines and general ill health. the Dept of Ed fails to educate anyone.
we are living in a Potemkin Village, all smoke and mirrors, resting on old dubious laurels and floating on unsustainable debt.
I'm hoping the war with Iran cuts us back to size. I'd like to live in a functioning country for awhile; I'm pretty sick of living in an Empire.
Good! Work the number down to zero and then pour it the fuck on!!
<<As you may have noticed, Drop Site has been increasingly under attack from people and organizations affiliated with pro-Israel propaganda efforts. The result, perhaps surprisingly to them, has been a surge in donations and subscriptions from readers supportive of our mission: to do honest reporting no matter where the facts lead.>>
Kind of reminds me of that time when a certain “nation” wanted to destroy another nation and started ramping up its attacks using a slew of (easily debunked) false allegations. The result, perhaps surprisingly to both of them, was a surge in the victim country’s defenders and revenue stream.
What both Eitan and the Trump administration failed to fully understand was this: when there is a decrease in the supply of a vital and precious commodity, its value inevitably increases.
In a world overflowing with misinformation, lies and propaganda, access to timely and trustworthy information is perhaps an even more valuable commodity than crude oil ;)
Thank you to everyone at DropSite for your tireless efforts and professionalism despite being the target of such vile & unjustified attacks.
that's why I joined. you wonder how governments fail to understand the basic Streisand Effect
We, the U.S. taxpayers, pay taxes and take on debt to be paid by our children, grandchildren and beyond to finance protection for Israel that they require in order to continue behaving as they have been.
What if we stopped supporting politicians financed by AIPAC?
What if we outlawed people with dual citizenships from working or advising our government?
What if we jailed war criminals living within our own borders?
It would be a real step towards MAGA!! Arrest, try and punish All the Bonafide WAR CRIMINALS commensurate w/their heinous crimes! Put bounties on the heads of the int'l real terrorists and bring them to justice! Claw back ill-gotten gains and prosecute all the market manipulators!! Kinda like there is no rule of law in our country right now for a certain class of people! Blatantly robbing WTP and many future generations blind!!
i hope they'll dwindle to single digits and then to nothing
The money I spent on a subscription has been well spent. Thanks to you and DemocracyNow!, Zeteo news, Breaking Points (where Ryan Grim does double duty), and Aljazeera English I have a much better understanding of what is going on! Without you guys we would be overwhelmed by the "fog of war".
add the Duran to your list
The first casualty of war is the Truth - now you know why the project 2025 GHOULS OF THE HERITAGE FOUNDATION, like FCC chairman Carr, want Larry Ellison and his Nepo baby son to buy up all of our media and turn it into Trump state messaging - he already owns TikTok and CBS and his soon gonna own CNN and HBO
Unless a certain Gulf state doesn't have any money...
Awesome reporting. Drop Site is the leader in covering Middle East issues. So happy to be a contributor to your great work.
Iran is making a bad mistake in letting their attackers come up for air! We've all seen how their immoral, genocidal, back-stabbing attackers play. Press your advantage and do not let them catch their breath or you will regret it forever! Fool me once...shame on you, fool me 47 times...shame on me!! Free the world of the insane ZioNazis NOW...the civilized world will thank you!!
And we're well beyond 25th Amendment time!!
the Strait is closed again I hear since Israel broke the ceasefire. I don't think they are being fooled anymore
I'll raise you 3 THAADs. I'll see your 3 THAADs and raise you 3 Patriots and 5 SM-3s. I'll see your 3 Patriots and 5 SM-3s and raise your 1 tactical nuke. OK I"m in.
OK but let's do a TACO before showing our hands.
And that folks us how the game's played.
You in.
Brilliant reporting. Thank you.
I expect one of two things will be likely to happen within the next week. Either the US makes a big offensive move against Irans civilian Infrastructure or Israel makes the move against Irans infrastructure. Either way the end result will be the same further drawing in China and Russia.
3 to 12 million tax dollars per interceptor missile. What can one say?
I had the same disgusted reaction. People are going without food, housing, and health insurance, but why not blow $3 million of our tax dollars on an instrument of death.
Can you do an article on the nitty gritty of cluster munitions. I've seen pictures of them in a missile's hold being distributed in the air but what are they capable of when they hit a target. They are pretty small, aren't they. Do they damage buildings? If so, how much?
Fun fact. Israeli weapons manufacturer, Elbit Systems, manufactures cluster munitions.
Mary Anne: Thank you pointing that out. I would be amazed if they were not manufactured in the U.S., Germany and France too. But I would like to round out my understanding of them by learning what they are capable of (besides tricking kids into thinking they are toys).
Let me go full Postal and suggest an edit to " ... a THAAD interceptor, which can stop a ballistic missile in its terminal descent phase ..." writing "a THAAD interceptor, which is improbably claimed to stop a ballistic missile in its terminal descent phase".