The conflict with Iran has demonstrated that the US model of relying on an extensive network of foreign bases has failed.
Washington Post: US Military Bases No Longer Safe
The conflict with Iran has demonstrated that the US model of relying on an extensive network of foreign bases has failed.
Fars News Agency International Desk – In a report regarding the vulnerability of US military bases to Iranian attacks, The Washington Post argues that the ongoing conflict has called into question a long-standing premise of US military strategy: the assumption that US bases abroad—particularly those near conflict zones—can remain secure against enemy attacks.
The Washington Post had previously reported, based on an analysis of satellite imagery, that Iranian attacks since the conflict began on February 28 have damaged or destroyed at least 228 structures or pieces of equipment at US military bases in the Middle East—ranging from aircraft hangars and barracks to fuel depots, aircraft, radar units, communication gear, and air defense systems. According to the newspaper, the extent of the damage far exceeds what the US government has publicly disclosed.
The newspaper’s central argument is that the US military has relied on a vast network of foreign bases for decades. These bases have served as hubs for troops, aircraft, equipment, and large supply depots; in past conflicts, the US was able to protect them by leveraging its air superiority.
However, the American newspaper writes that the conflict with Iran has shown this model is no longer as reliable as it once was. Iran has managed to use missiles and drones to strike bases located thousands of kilometers away from Iranian territory.
In an analysis of satellite imagery covering 15 U.S. military sites in the region, the newspaper identified 217 structures and 11 pieces of equipment that had been damaged or destroyed. The damage included hangars, troop quarters, warehouses, and other military infrastructure.
Citing experts who examined the images, The Washington Post reports that the precision of the Iranian strikes suggests the U.S. likely underestimated Iran's ability to identify and target its fixed infrastructure.