### U.S. Debates Weapon Supplies Amid Mounting Global Commitments

The Biden administration faces a complex balancing act as it continues to send arms to allies while ensuring the U.S. maintains enough of its own defense capabilities. Each week brings new announcements of military assistance to Ukraine and the Middle East, prompting Pentagon officials to question whether this aid might compromise America's preparedness for potential conflicts, especially in the Pacific.

This concern resurfaced recently when the administration announced the dispatch of an advanced missile defense system, known as the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), to Israel. Alongside this, 100 American troops have been assigned to operate the system. The THAAD system is designed to intercept short- and intermediate-range ballistic missiles, providing crucial defensive capabilities.

Israel's need for the THAAD system comes amid heightened tensions with Iran. Following an Iranian missile barrage last month—which prompted limited damage but signaled escalating hostilities—U.S. officials decided to bolster Israel's missile defenses in anticipation of potential further conflicts. The U.S. has seven THAAD batteries; the one delivered to Israel and another previously sent to the region this year have noticeably reduced the total number available for American use.

General Randy George, the Army chief of staff, highlighted the demand for U.S. Army air defense forces at the Association of the U.S. Army's annual conference. "Everybody wants U.S. Army air defense forces," he stated, underscoring the strain on what he called "our most deployed formation."

The exact locations of the THAAD batteries are often kept confidential for security reasons, but it is believed that one battery is stationed in South Korea. This limited number of THAAD systems has raised questions about the U.S.'s ability to respond to threats in multiple regions simultaneously. The Pentagon continues to weigh the implications of its international commitments against the needs of national security and readiness.