Iranian drones breached U.S. defenses, killing six soldiers in Kuwait, exposing critical gaps in Pentagon capabilities. The strikes, using $30,000 drones, destroyed a $10 million radar system, highlighting a lack of counter-drone tech. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth dismissed the failures as inevitable "squirters," underscoring a troubling shift toward lethality over preparedness.

The U.S. military’s decline mirrors historical patterns of decay. Like Rome’s third-century literacy collapse, America’s strategic edge erodes despite superior technology. Trump’s focus on "warrior ethos" has sidelined critical training, with bans on elite university courses for troops. This neglect risks repeating mistakes in conflicts like the Iran campaign.

Allies are distancing themselves. European nations refused to endorse U.S. strikes, calling them "perilous," while Britain begrudgingly allowed limited base access. Trump’s isolationist pivot—cozying up to Putin and threatening Greenland—has fractured decades-old partnerships. These rifts weaken collective defense networks, crucial for countering global threats.

Internal mishaps compound external vulnerabilities. A friendly-fire incident downed three F-15E jets in Kuwait, raising questions about communication and coordination. Each F-15E costs $150 million, yet operational blunders threaten expensive assets. Without addressing these fractures, U.S. dominance risks becoming history.