Trump clashes with Hegseth over US ammunition shortage

America's ammunition shortage: when the empire runs out of gunpowder

How does the world's leading military power run out of ammunition in the middle of a war? That is the question Donald Trump has put on the table after clashing with his Defense Secretary, Pete Hegseth, at Camp David. According to The Washington Post, on August 6 the president demanded explanations about the "extreme ammunition shortage" that threatens to limit military options against Iran. The meeting came after the administration voiced frustration over the true state of the arsenals.

850 Tomahawks and an arsenal on the edge

The figure is staggering: 850 Tomahawk missiles fired in a single month. And now it turns out "there is no ammunition." Some point out that modern wars are won with logistics, not with bombing videos on social media. Five months of intensive spending have left reserves at rock bottom.

The blame carousel

The most striking thing is the chain of excuses: Trump blames Hegseth; Hegseth blames his deputy Feinberg; and everyone blames the ghost of Biden. Mid-level officials take the fall, but the one signing the checks remains the same. The finale comes with Ukraine: for months we were told the Russians would run out of tanks, and now it is the Americans who are running out of supplies.

The tactical critique

Part of the military analysis points to a strategic error: spending long-range missiles on targets that could be hit with dumb bombs, which are far cheaper. Tomahawks should be reserved for destroying air defenses such as the SA-10 and, once the sky is clear, conventional bombs should be used for CCIP attacks. Burning a multimillion-dollar missile on a minor mission is the perfect formula for depleting the arsenal.

As things stand, the world's leading power has to demand answers from its own generals. Meanwhile, someone should restart gunpowder production. At this rate, the rumor mill says, even Mexico might reclaim its territories. But that is another story.