Middle East Archives

Trillions - 19FortyFive

8,000 Targets Hit, and Iran Still Won’t Open the Strait of Hormuz

Defense expert Dr. Brent M. Eastwood analyzes the strategic stalemate of Operation Epic Fury. Despite suffering devastating military losses, Iran is weaponizing the Strait...

Brent M. EastwoodMarch 24, 2026

ATLANTIC OCEAN (Aug. 30, 2018) An MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7 flies by the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) during dual-carrier sustainment operations with the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). In addition to demonstrating the Navy's inherent flexibility and scalability, this evolution provides the opportunity to conduct complex, multi-unit training to enhance maritime interoperability and combat readiness; prepare the Navy to protect our homeland; and preserve and promote peace anywhere around the world. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Juan Sotolongo/Released)

Smart Bombs: Military, Defense and National Security

The U.S. Navy Has 11 Aircraft Carriers. Only 1 Is Fighting Iran Right Now

Defense expert and former Air Force officer Christian D. Orr analyzes a critical logistical gap in Operation Epic Fury. With the USS Gerald R....

Christian D. OrrMarch 24, 2026

A U.S. Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet aircraft refuels from a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft during a mission in support of Operation Epic Fury over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, March 8, 2026. (U.S. Air Force photo)

Smart Bombs: Military, Defense and National Security

$200,000,000,000: Operation Epic Fury Could Now Cost More Than Every Weapon Iran Has Ever Owned

Defense expert Dr. Brent M. Eastwood analyzes the Pentagon's staggering $200 billion funding request for Operation Epic Fury. Highlighting the extreme costs of modern...

Brent M. EastwoodMarch 24, 2026

Smart Bombs: Military, Defense and National Security

The A-10 Warthog Would Be Shot Down Instantly by Functioning Air Defenses — Its Presence Over Iran Proves America Has Destroyed Them All

British defense researcher Jack Buckby analyzes the tactical deployment of the A-10 Thunderbolt II to the Strait of Hormuz. Because the "Warthog" lacks stealth...

Jack BuckbyMarch 23, 2026

A U.S. Air Force Reserve A-10 Thunderbolt II assigned to the 64th Air Expeditionary Wing banks right after refueling from a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 336th Air Refueling Squadron, March Air Reserve Base, California, during exercise Resolute Sentinel 23 over Talara, Peru, July 19, 2023. Resolute Sentinel improves readiness of U.S. and partner nation military and interagency personnel through joint defense interoperability training, engineering projects and knowledge exchanges. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Chris Hibben)

Smart Bombs: Military, Defense and National Security

The A-10 Warthog Is Destroying Iranian Boats in the Strait of Hormuz Right Now — and the Air Force Might Retire Every One of Them on October 1

The legendary A-10 Warthog has returned to the front lines. During Operation Epic Fury, the Pentagon repurposed the iconic tank killer into a "boat...

Christian D. OrrMarch 23, 2026

Trillions - 19FortyFive

Karoline Leavitt Wouldn’t Rule Out an Iran Military Draft on Live TV — A Political Scientist and Army Veteran Says It Won’t Happen and Explains Why

Defense expert Dr. Brent M. Eastwood tackles the rising fears of a military draft for Operation Epic Fury. Despite ambiguous statements from the administration,...

Brent M. EastwoodMarch 23, 2026

A U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer prepares to refuel behind a KC-135 Stratotanker during a bomber air demonstration over the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility Oct. 23, 2025.

Smart Bombs: Military, Defense and National Security

France Just Closed Its Airspace to U.S. Bombers Attacking Iran — A B-1B Had to Fly Around NATO Allies to Get Home From Its Mission

Defense expert Dr. Brent M. Eastwood breaks down the diplomatic rift impacting Operation Epic Fury. With France, Spain, and Portugal denying airspace to U.S....

Brent M. EastwoodMarch 23, 2026

(Oct. 17, 2017) The aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) transits the Arabian Gulf, Oct 17, 2017. Nimitz is deployed in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. While in this region, the ship and strike group are conducting maritime security operations to reassure allies and partners, preserve freedom of navigation, and maintain the free flow of commerce. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman David Claypool/Released)

Trillions - 19FortyFive

China Is Watching America Fail in the Strait of Hormuz — and Taking Notes on How to Blockade the Taiwan Strait and 90% of the World’s Semiconductors

Senior National Security Editor Brandon J. Weichert examines how the 2026 Iran War is providing a strategic blueprint for China. As the U.S. struggles...

Brandon WeichertMarch 23, 2026

F-15EX Eagle II image provided by Boeing.

Smart Bombs: Military, Defense and National Security

The Iran War Is Teaching America How to Fight China — and the Lessons About Tomahawk Missiles and Drone Swarms Are Not Encouraging

Former Pentagon acquisition expert Kris Osborn explores how the ongoing conflict in Iran serves as a real-world testing ground for a potential war with...

Kris OsbornMarch 23, 2026

M1 Abrams Tanks for Ukraine. Image: Creative Commons.

Dr. Andrew A. Michta: Geostrategy

Russia Is the Big Winner in the Iran War

Strategic expert Andrew A. Michta explores how Russia is capitalizing on the Iran War to consolidate gains in Europe. With U.S. resources drained and...

Andrew A. MichtaMarch 22, 2026

19FortyFive

All posts tagged "Middle East"

Trillions - 19FortyFive

8,000 Targets Hit, and Iran Still Won’t Open the Strait of Hormuz

Smart Bombs: Military, Defense and National Security

The U.S. Navy Has 11 Aircraft Carriers. Only 1 Is Fighting Iran Right Now

Smart Bombs: Military, Defense and National Security

$200,000,000,000: Operation Epic Fury Could Now Cost More Than Every Weapon Iran Has Ever Owned

Smart Bombs: Military, Defense and National Security

The A-10 Warthog Would Be Shot Down Instantly by Functioning Air Defenses — Its Presence Over Iran Proves America Has Destroyed Them All

Smart Bombs: Military, Defense and National Security

The A-10 Warthog Is Destroying Iranian Boats in the Strait of Hormuz Right Now — and the Air Force Might Retire Every One of Them on October 1

Trillions - 19FortyFive

Karoline Leavitt Wouldn’t Rule Out an Iran Military Draft on Live TV — A Political Scientist and Army Veteran Says It Won’t Happen and Explains Why

Smart Bombs: Military, Defense and National Security

France Just Closed Its Airspace to U.S. Bombers Attacking Iran — A B-1B Had to Fly Around NATO Allies to Get Home From Its Mission

Trillions - 19FortyFive

China Is Watching America Fail in the Strait of Hormuz — and Taking Notes on How to Blockade the Taiwan Strait and 90% of the World’s Semiconductors

Smart Bombs: Military, Defense and National Security

The Iran War Is Teaching America How to Fight China — and the Lessons About Tomahawk Missiles and Drone Swarms Are Not Encouraging

Dr. Andrew A. Michta: Geostrategy

Russia Is the Big Winner in the Iran War

Trending

Recent Posts

Archives