In a world growing ever more complex, recent events have cast a spotlight on a sobering reality no one can ignore. We all know now, that war is no longer fought with tanks rumbling across borders or fleets of jet fighters streaking overhead. Instead, it is waged through supersonic ballistic missiles that can travel at breathtaking speeds, cover long distances, and strike with devastating precision. Iran, by daring to challenge a heavily fortified adversary like Israel, has underscored this new paradigm, and in the process, exposed unsettling vulnerabilities in global defense systems, including those America has long relied upon.
The United States today maintains more than 600 military bases scattered across the globe, from Europe and Asia to Africa and the Middle East. This sprawling network was built over decades to project power, protect allies, and deter adversaries. Yet the very logic that underpinned this strategy, that proximity equals power, is being challenged. Iran’s missile strikes showed that even under the watchful eyes of the world’s most advanced intelligence agencies, a determined nation can still develop, test, and deploy weapons capable of punching through sophisticated defense shields.
Military experts have openly discussed these vulnerabilities. In recent years, analysts at institutions like the RAND Corporation and the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) have warned that the rise of hypersonic and ballistic missiles, combined with advanced drone swarms and cyber warfare, is transforming the battlefield. Former U.S. defense officials have acknowledged that existing missile defense systems, while advanced, were never designed to stop large volleys of high-speed missiles fired simultaneously, especially by state actors with substantial resources.
Iran’s attack on Israel in the 12-day Iran-Israel War has set many minds reeling in disbelief. Despite Israel’s Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and American-backed missile defenses, some missiles still reached their targets. If such systems can be saturated or bypassed, what then becomes of America’s global security umbrella? How does the government reassure its people of their safety and invincibility in a world where missile technology continues to advance, and adversaries multiply? These are not questions that can be answered with more bases or more troops abroad. They demand a fundamental rethinking of America’s defense and foreign policy priorities.
America’s Paradox: Global Power, Domestic Neglect
America, by many measures, remains the wealthiest and most powerful nation on earth. Yet at home, its cities grapple with homelessness, crumbling infrastructure, and deep social inequalities. Over half a million Americans experience homelessness each year. Some estimates suggest the figure could reach or exceed one million if hidden homelessness is included. Skyscrapers rise in downtown Los Angeles, but so too do sprawling tent encampments. Billion-dollar defense budgets stand in contrast to underfunded schools, aging bridges, and healthcare systems that leave millions in debt.
This paradox is glaring. A nation that projects unmatched strength abroad struggles to guarantee prosperity and dignity to all its citizens. Environmental crises, from the devastating wildfires in California to catastrophic flooding in Texas, further reveal the fragility of the systems meant to protect American lives and livelihoods. These are not just isolated disasters; they are signals of deeper miscalculations and underinvestment at home.
A Call to Refocus
It is time, perhaps, for America to close hundreds of its overseas bases, and redirect those enormous resources toward domestic renewal. Imagine what hundreds of billions in savings could do: modernizing infrastructure, investing in affordable housing, strengthening public education, and preparing the nation for a warming planet.
Rather than seeking to dominate through military might, America could lead by championing peace, diplomacy, and development, principles that once shaped its greatest foreign policy successes. The future of security may lie less in tanks and carriers, and more in resilient societies, cutting-edge technology, and alliances built on shared prosperity rather than sheer force.
This is not a call for isolationism. Rather, it is an appeal for balance, to ensure that America remains strong not only in military terms, but in the health, happiness, and opportunity it provides its own people. True superpower status in the 21st century will not be measured by the number of foreign bases or missiles, but by the quality of life at home, the sustainability of the economy, and the ability to inspire rather than intimidate other nations.
The World is Watching and also Changing
The Persians have dared to challenge the status quo, and in doing so have exposed a shift already underway in global security. Let us not forget that during the Achaemenid Empire (c. 550-330 BCE) the Persians built one of the largest armies of the ancient world. There was also the Parthian Empire (247 BCE – 224 CE) and the Sassanian Empire (224-651 CE). The Persians’ military strength came from effective organization, use of multi-ethnic forces with specialized skills, innovative battlefield tactics, and an impressive infrastructure which supported rapid troop movement. Undeniably the Persians were one of the most powerful and sophisticated military forces of the ancient world, and remain a force to reckon with. It was therefore a big mistake for the Persians to be underrated. Israel did not think well when she attacked first, and it will be suicidal to attack again.
America must acknowledge this change, not by clinging to old doctrines, but by boldly embracing a new vision. One where its strength flows from a prosperous, unified society and a foreign policy rooted in cooperation and peace. It will be in the interest of America to stop engaging in proxy wars. America must not do Israel’s bidding. Granted that just one aircraft carrier is destroyed by Houthi or Iraninan missiles; what will that mean for America? Already, support for America across the globe is waning because of the insensitivity of America to the massacre of Gazans, especially women and children. That America will look on while humans are starved to death has shocked and angered discerning people strewn across the globe. This should be a worry for all Americans.
In the words of some military experts, no fortress is truly impregnable; but a nation that invests in its people, values peace, and adapts to changing realities will remain secure in ways that missiles and military bases alone can never guarantee.
FUSEINI ABDULAI BRAIMAH
+233550558008 / +233208282575 ([email protected])
