Recent assessments indicate that the United States has exhausted more than half of its weapons stockpiles during its ongoing conflict with Iran. According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, while the U.S. maintains enough missiles for continued engagement with Iran, the real concern lies in preparing for future confrontations.

“Even after utilizing half of our armament stocks, we are in a position to sustain long-term operations against Iran,” stated Mark Cancian, a retired U.S. Marines colonel and senior advisor with the CSIS Defense and Security Department. 

Cancian emphasized that the more significant risk involves potential future conflicts, particularly with China in the Western Pacific.

Cancian noted increasing anxiety among military officials regarding weapon supplies, especially when considering other possible global tensions, notably with China.

“Concerns over depleted munitions were pivotal in the decision to halt air strikes,” Cancian explained. “Our arsenal levels fell well below the expectations of strategic planners, potentially emboldening adversaries like China to act.”

Almost one-third of Tomahawk missiles have been used since the war in Iran began. Nearly two-thirds of Patriot missile interceptors have been depleted. Just over half of precision strike missiles remain. 

President Donald Trump insists the U.S. has plenty of munitions to continue in Iran.

“We have a lot of ammunition, different types,” President Trump said in July. “I mean, more than we could ever use, no matter what. But we have a lot. I’d like to have more, to be honest.”

CSIS notes many munition stockpiles are substantial but focused its analysis on seven key weapons that have been effective in Iran and would also be valuable in a possible Pacific conflict.

“We have a defense industrial base that needs to be fixed at a very critical time in our history with the conflict in the Middle East,” Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, said. “President Xi of China is watching our stockpiles very closely as he contemplates threatening behavior towards the Taiwan straits, and, so, it all kind of factors in together here. And to be a strong United States, we need a strong military and project strength abroad.”

The Pentagon is requesting significant increases in spending for weapons manufacturing, and lawmakers from both sides of the aisle believe the funding is of importance.

“Look, I have real concerns about our defense industrial base, and God forbid we find ourselves in a lengthy, serious war in our ability to produce what we need,” Rep. Chris Deluzio, D-Pa., said. “I actually think it’s a place where you can get some cooperation across the parties who want to see us re-industrialize.”

The Pentagon’s budget request for fiscal year 2027 includes $5.8 Billion for Tomahawk missiles, an increase of 513% from the fiscal year 2026 request. Proposed spending for precision strike missiles is 245% higher, Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAADS) is up 650% and the request for Patriot Missile Segment Enhancement is 927% higher.

“Listen, if it’s a $1.5 trillion package for defense, I’m all in. I really am,” Rep. Troy Nehls, R-Texas, said. “The munitions are going to be there. We’re going continue to do what we have to do to protect the world, protect Israel and everybody else in the region.”

If and when the funding is approved, it could take years for the new munitions to reach the battlefield.

“It takes quite a long time for the U.S. to produce new interceptors. They’re complex manufacturing assemblages, and thus depleting those stockpiles does leave the U S materially worse off than it otherwise would have been in the current conflict,” said UC Berkeley Senior Research Scholar Cameron Tracy.

The Patriot missiles requested in the fiscal year 2027 budget likely will not be available on the front line for another 3½ years. The Tomahawk estimated delivery time sits at almost four years. Some munitions orders could take as long as five years.

“Before the war, it would typically take about two years for the first system to arrive and then another year after that for the last,” Cancian said. “You have to sign a contract, and then the manufacturer has to go out with the subcontractors and get all the materials. With the war, those timelines have been extended.”

The Trump administration has created framework agreements with contractors to increase production capacity for key munitions. The deals call for new facilities, ambitious timelines and additional weapons systems.

“You can increase production capacity — we are doing that — [for] Patriot and many other systems. First, you have to recruit more people and train them up,” Cancian said. “Then you can expand your facilities, but that takes time. You got to build the facilities, and you got to get all the permits and everything else. So, it can be done. We’re seeing it happen, but, again, it takes time.”

The spotlight shone brightly on Bravo’s latest installment, “The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Roaring 20s,” during its spectacular New York premiere on August 4. The occasion was graced by reality TV luminaries like Kyle Richards, Teresa Giudice, and Porsha Williams, all donning outfits that perfectly captured the glitz and glamour of the era. Explore the evening’s most stunning ensemble below.

New York City’s vibrant streets are once again playing host to the notorious ‘stickers of shame,’ with Mayor Zohran Mamdani defending their return to the urban landscape. These glaring lime green notices are being applied to cars violating parking rules, replacing traditional tickets and towing.

Reintroduced by City Council member Gale Brewer after a 12-year hiatus, the 8.5 x 11-inch stickers require more than just elbow grease—and a scraper—to remove them from offenders’ vehicles.

Although Mamdani did not personally endorse the legislation by signing or vetoing it, he proceeded with its implementation and justified its necessity during a press briefing held on Tuesday.

“Ensuring the Sanitation Department can effectively conduct street cleaning is of utmost importance,” he articulated.

“In my conversations with the dedicated team at DSNY, we always discuss methods to streamline their hard work. If this initiative contributes towards that, it has my complete backing,” he affirmed.

The first stickers were placed on cars that blocked street cleaning vehicles Tuesday morning at W. 90th Street between Columbus Avenue and Central Park West. 

David Greenfield, a former New York City councilmember, fought the stickers back in his time on the council and was dismayed to see them return.

‘For 14 blissful years, these stickers were illegal in NYC because I banned them when I served in @NYCCouncil. Why? Many of drivers getting stickered were innocent and the glue wrecked their cars,’ he said.

He continued: ‘A ticket is a penalty. Gluing trash to someone’s windshield is vandalism.’ 

While many people blamed the policy and the punishments, some even turned on Mayor Mamdani after NY Times reporter Emma Fitzsimmons posted about the stickers.

‘What would Emma have said if the new “commie” mayor just had her car towed?’ asked one X user. 

‘Mamdani gentle parenting car owners in nyc,’ added another.

‘The liberals hate the police but will waste no time co-opting any symbol of the police for their own control tactics,’ said one more.  

Social media users were also not amused after seeing the size and color of the garish, difficult-to-remove adhesives.

One asked: ‘How is this not vandalism?’

‘Why don’t they just tow the car?’ wondered another.

‘This is idiotic, is the ticket not enough,’ pondered a critic. 

The Department of Sanitation claimed over half a million vehicles violate alternate-side parking rules every week.

Brewer told the New York Post that ‘There’s just not enough cops’ to properly enforce parking laws otherwise. 

Sanitation Commissioner Gregory Anderson claimed that the $65 tickets were nowhere near the deterrent they should be. 

‘For many New Yorkers, a $65 summons is simply the cost of free street parking, and our streets are dirtier because of it,’ Anderson said.

He added that he would prefer the ability to use automated cameras to enforce it but that the state government would have to give them the authority to do so. 

‘We hope that these stickers motivate people to move their cars. Our goal is clean streets that all New Yorkers deserve, not to use stickers nor to write tickets.’

For Brewer, its a matter of making it easier to clean the streets. 

‘Street cleaning only works when cars move. Warning stickers were one of the City’s most effective tools for improving compliance before they were banned in 2012,’ she said.

EVANSTON, Ill. (WLS) — In a lively display of community spirit, National Night Out transformed Evanston into a hub of camaraderie and fun on Tuesday evening. The event, which unites families, neighbors, and law enforcement, featured a variety of activities and games, with a highlight being the opportunity to dunk Evanston’s own police chief.

This annual celebration, aimed at enhancing police-community relationships, effectively turned the vicinity of the Evanston Police Department into a vibrant block party where everyone could mingle, laugh, and enjoy the night.

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Among the evening’s most popular attractions was the dunk tank. Throngs of excited participants eagerly queued up, each hoping for the chance to send the good-natured police chief for a refreshing dip.

“I thought you liked me!” the police chief quipped with humor after his plunge, drawing laughter from the crowd and adding to the friendly atmosphere.

Families attending voiced their appreciation for the opportunity this event gave their children to interact with police officers and first responders in a relaxed setting, fostering positive relationships outside of the pressures of emergency situations.

“We’re having a really nice time. We got to see the chief dunked in the dunk tank, which was really fun,” attendee Adam Kahn said.

His daughter, Lizzie Kahn, also enjoyed the experience.

“I really like getting a lollipop and watching the Chief get dunked,” she said.

Attendee Thomani Klamm said the event’s block-party atmosphere felt right at home in Evanston.

“We love block parties. I feel like that’s quintessential Evanston summer is going to a block party,” Klamm said.

The community-building effort extended beyond Evanston. Chicago police held National Night Out events in all 22 police districts, with Interim Superintendent Fred Waller and Mayor Brandon Johnson in attendance. In Burr Ridge, children hopped aboard a miniature train as families gathered for an evening of food, fun and face-to-face time with first responders.

Klamm said events like National Night Out help children become familiar with police officers before they encounter them during an emergency.

“That’s so important to me as a mom, because if they see a familiar face or see someone they’ve known from a friendly activity, like, they’re more likely to respond,” she said.

Evanston police officers said relationship-building remains a key part of their work.

“We’re in the business of people like this is what we do is work with people, connect with people. Is it our job to understand people? So, to be able to have people at our house in this way is special and significant,” Sgt. Enjoli Daley said.

Sgt. Tosha Wilson said strong relationships between police and residents benefit the entire community.

“When you have great connection with your police department and the police department with the community, it’s an automatic win,” Wilson said.

Organizers said they hope the conversations and connections made during National Night Out continue long after the event ends, helping turn familiar uniforms into familiar faces.