@Vermillion-Rx I think the robots fill very important gap. Boots on a ground.

You can bomb and shit, but you can't control an area. Not saying the robots will solve it tomorrow but they look like the best alternative to the dead soldiers (=lost political support), worth a shot and a chance of future development. This looks like the Terminator's scenes with the robots patrolling streets very likely.

The Nukes are an equaliser and a deterrent, the only thing that can be done against nukes is a shield.

I think that an efficient shield is out of reach, because it will always have to addapt to aggressor's new technology and being one step behind is not acceptable (unlike where aggressor is for example, a hacker and the worst that can happen is an economic loss in a sector).

The powers with nukes are lost forever pariahs and will never be conquered.

More so "they" will be a new power in any giver region and if willing so, they will subjugate or rally smaller countries.

In case of Iran it wouldn't mean imminent nuke escalation (I doubt it a lot), It would mean all local Arab countries would be lost to local influences. Out of West's hands.

Are we already observing that?

Isn't it why US spends silly money in bombing but hesitates to send troops (plus uncertainty of Iran not having a surprise).

Russia parcelling Ukraine.

EU planning for a joint military.

@MentORPHEUS I'm too poor with a global economy, but I'd rat5her not see the China shuffling cards.

The European countries denying US flights over their territory; some even might see that genocide isn't that one sided as pumped by media.

I have disregarded dumb opinions that Iran is too far to be ae threat to USA. Well times of wedging a war on a horse, only to one's neighbouring country is long gone. But I can't see why|how Iran would choose such a difficult target to ever attack with a nuke. Izrael on the other hand...

It is pretty safe to say that China has its finger in resupplying Iran. As to shot down any half asses decoy is costing a lot and US bleeds money.

This money are not used on infernal affairs and I wouldn't be surprised if democrats are sitting relatively quiet about a war as it hurts Republicas in at least 2 ways.

Immigration crisis is possibly getting less attention = more of them to vote.

Lack of funds or crisis will turn away some electorate.