Sean Parnell schlägt das Leck einer geheimen Pentagon-Bewertung vor.

The U.S. military faces a growing munitions shortage, exacerbated by years of sustained warfare and a deeply flawed Pentagon bureaucracy, according to analysts and former officials. Recent reports reveal that the U.S. Army has exhausted much of its stockpile of surface-to-surface long-range missiles, raising alarms about the nation’s ability to sustain future conflicts. The issue has come to light amid ongoing hostilities with Iran, which have intensified in recent weeks, prompting calls for urgent reassessment of military strategy and resource allocation. The shortage stems from a combination of factors, including the U.S.’s involvement in numerous overseas conflicts and the inefficiencies within the Department of Defense. William Hartung, a leading expert on military spending, argues that the problem is rooted in a pattern of excessive military expenditure and poor resource management. He points to the high costs associated with modern weaponry, such as the $2 million price tag for a single cruise missile and the billions required for advanced systems like the THAAD missile defense. These expenditures, while lucrative for defense contractors, have left the military ill-prepared for large-scale engagements, particularly against adversaries employing low-cost, high-volume tactics like Iran’s drone fleet. Internal Pentagon documents obtained by The Washington Post highlight growing concern among senior military leaders about the impact of the Iran war on overall readiness. A classified assessment shared with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warns that extended operations in the region have strained resources and reduced the military’s capacity to defend other critical areas, including the homeland. The report notes that commanders from the Army, Navy, and Air Force, along with four-star combatant commanders overseeing operations in Europe, Asia, and Latin America, have raised alarms about the degradation of force posture due to the ongoing conflict. These warnings have sparked a heated debate over transparency and accountability. Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell condemned the leak of the classified assessment, calling it a “crime” and a “betrayal of the force.” He accused The Washington Post of disseminating “fake news” and emphasized that decisions on military deployment are based on strategic priorities set by the White House. Parnell argued that the military is in “great shape” globally, despite the reported shortages, and dismissed claims of systemic dysfunction. Legal experts, however, have pointed out that publishing classified information is generally protected under the First Amendment unless it poses an imminent threat to national security. Meanwhile, the financial toll of the Iran war continues to mount. Pentagon officials estimate that the conflict has already cost approximately $37.5 billion since its inception in late February, with additional expenses expected through the end of the fiscal year. This figure, which was not previously disclosed, underscores the scale of the financial burden placed on the military budget. Analysts argue that such figures should be transparent to ensure public oversight and informed decision-making. The situation highlights broader challenges within the U.S. military-industrial complex. Despite record-breaking defense spending, the armed forces remain unprepared for modern warfare, characterized by asymmetric threats and rapid technological evolution. Hartung emphasizes that the focus on high-profile projects like the F-35 fighter jet has diverted attention from more pressing needs, such as maintaining adequate stocks of conventional munitions. He criticizes the Pentagon for prioritizing costly, technologically ambitious programs over practical, scalable solutions that can address emerging threats. As tensions with Iran continue to escalate, the question of how to balance military readiness with fiscal responsibility grows ever more urgent. With the Pentagon struggling to meet basic operational demands, the need for reform and greater transparency becomes increasingly clear. Whether the administration will heed the warnings of its own military leadership remains uncertain, but the implications of the munitions crisis extend far beyond the battlefield.