China is watching America run out of missiles

OpinionMiddle East conflict exposes limits of Washington's ability to defend two theatersThomas O. FalkAugust 27, 2026 05:05 JSTThe Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance fires a Tomahawk Land Attack Missile in support of Operation Epic Fury, at an undisclosed location on Feb. 28. © ReutersThomas O. Falk is a political analyst and journalist who covers European politics, transatlantic relations and global geopolitical security.Read NextPoliticsKazakhstan's Tokayev tightens grip on power after snap electionOpinionPragmatist and patriot: Zhu Rongji believed in China's tech futureTaiwan tensionsTaiwan's security council quietly steps up as architect of China strategyCommentChina's rise lays bare the aging of the U.S.-Japan allianceEnvironmentWho bears environmental cost of