RT Admiral Mike Franken (@FrankenforIowa)Trump is getting a lesson in geopolitics and asymmetric warfare, albeit late.And big mouths don't win wars. ...

They call it asymmetric warfare. Our highly sophisticated interceptor missiles, Patriots, THAADS, against Iran's low tech drones made of materials you can largely get at your corner hobby store. While attacks by Iranian drones were down this past week, the amount of damage they have done has come as a jolt.An Iranian drone attack caused the first American casualties of the war when it killed six soldiers in Kuwait. Iranian drones are a drain on the US weapon stockpiles and a threat to the straight of Hormuz ...

Core Viewpoint - The current situation in the Strait of Hormuz is characterized as a movement problem rather than a supply problem, with crude oil still being transported through alternative routes despite challenges [1][2]. Oil Movement and Supply - Crude oil is being transported through pipelines, particularly the East West pipeline in Saudi Arabia and across the United Arab Emirates, with at least 2 million barrels per day still moving [3]. - More than 56% of the normal flow through the Strait of Hormuz is operational, which is a contributing factor to oil prices not exceeding $100 per barrel, despite a 42% increase since the onset of the conflict [4]. Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) - The U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve has been drained to 415 million barrels, which is 60% of its capacity, due to political decisions, and there are concerns about refilling it [4][5]. - The House of Representatives allocated $1.3 billion for refilling the SPR, but the Senate reduced this to $171 million, raising concerns about budgetary constraints and the need for repairs [5][6]. Military and Geopolitical Considerations - The U.S. military's involvement in escorting tankers through the Strait of Hormuz is contingent on assessments of military feasibility and intelligence regarding threats from Iran [8]. - Iran is perceived to be engaging in asymmetric warfare, including potential strikes against oil infrastructure and vessels, aiming to impose economic costs on the U.S. [9][12]. - The U.S. military has significantly degraded Iran's defense capabilities, but Iran still possesses sufficient drones and missiles to continue its operations [11][12]. Strategic Objectives - There is uncertainty regarding the U.S. administration's long-term objectives in the region, with questions about whether the current military successes will lead to a change in Iran's behavior or regime change [13][14].