America's depleted arsenal and military readiness concerns
Summary
This episode examines how recent conflicts have depleted U.S. missile stockpiles, raising concerns about the military’s ability to defend global allies. Experts Bill LaPlante, Randy Shriver, and Celeste Wallander discuss how adversaries like China and Russia are monitoring these shortages. The panel analyzes efforts to ramp up production of both high-end and cheaper munitions to restore deterrence and readiness.
Topics discussed
Introduction: U.S. weapon shortages after Iran war
Root causes: Cold War downsizing and exquisite weapons
Global obligations and risks to Indo-Pacific allies
Adversary awareness: China, Russia, and lessons from Ukraine
Political blame and the shift to multi-year production contracts
Developing cheaper munitions and drones
Balancing mass production with high-end capabilities
Manufacturing as deterrence against China and Russia
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