The Commentary Magazine Podcast Deal or No Deal?
8 snips
May 11, 2026 
Jonathan Schanzer, a national-security expert at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, breaks down Iran’s strategy and U.S. stalemate. He discusses munitions shortages, limits of precision strikes, and the case for economic warfare. Regional dynamics with Gulf states and China’s role also come into focus.
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Kinetic Strikes Hurt but Didn't End The Regime
- The kinetic campaign against Iran inflicted significant damage but didn't force surrender.
- Jonathan Schanzer and John Podhoretz note Iran remains intact, suggesting war aims exceed what precise strikes achieved.
Munitions Shortages Are Restraining U.S. Options
- U.S. munitions depletion now shapes strategy and limits further strikes.
- Senators' public comments about low stockpiles created political pressure and raised concerns about readiness for other contingencies like Taiwan.
Precision Warfare Creates A Replenishment Problem
- Success in precision strikes reveals a strategic dilemma: modern law-of-war constraints force use of costly, hard-to-produce munitions.
- Jonathan Schanzer warns the U.S. industrial base and reliance on rare earths limit sustained bombing campaigns.