EP031 - Keep Your Powder Dry

In Manila, the American Secretary of State was asked why weapons Taiwan has already paid for still haven't arrived. He didn't say the commitment had changed. He said the sales were still being reviewed against stockpiles and supply, while Washington works to rebuild its defence industry. That's a supply answer, given by the country's chief diplomat. Over Jordan, fewer incoming missiles and drones are being shot down than before. One explanation circulating is that the missiles got better. Another is that interceptors cost far more than most of what they're fired at, and the cheap targets are being allowed through on purpose. And in Taipei, an exercise beginning tomorrow will practise picking up a weapons factory and moving it after an attack, and will switch off mobile data for 17 million people to see what still functions. It is not a rehearsal of whether Taiwan would fight. It's a rehearsal of what Taiwan can still manufacture once the fighting has started. 3 governments, 3 continents, one limit. The limit was not what these governments were willing to do. It was how much equipment they actually had, and how fast they could build more. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn