Rope-a-Dope

Foreman trying to punch Ali

The rope-a-dope is a boxing fighting technique in which one contender leans against the ropes of the boxing ring to draw non-injuring offensive punches in an effort to tire out the opponent and, while he is on the ropes, tries to execute devastating offensive punches. The rope-a-dope is most famously associated with Muhammad Ali in his October 1974 Rumble in the Jungle match against world heavyweight champion George Foreman in Kinshasa, Zaire.

The event had an attendance of 60,000 people and was one of the
most watched televised events at the time. Ali won by knockout in the eighth round.

Why this intro, it's because of logistics and how it applies to the war with Iran.

Patton's take on logistics is key to understanding how The Art of War should be applied.

A Chinese bamboo book, open and unfolded to display the contents. This copy of The Art of War (on the cover, "孫子兵法") by Sun Tzu is part of a collection at the University of California, Riverside. The cover also reads "乾隆御書", meaning it was either commissioned or transcribed by the Qianlong Emperor.

Patton in 1944

General George S. Patton viewed logistics as the critical enabler of rapid, aggressive warfare, famously stating that while his men could survive on limited rations, his tanks and trucks could not operate without fuel. He understood early in his career the importance of supply chains to maintain operational momentum, despite sometimes outrunning them.

To ignore logistics is folly. Now consider the gambit with Iran.

As of early 2026, the U.S. arsenal of THAAD and Patriot interceptors is under significant strain, with inventories considered dangerously low following heavy usage in the Middle East in 2024–2025. 

THAAD Interceptors: In July 2025, reports indicated that the U.S. had approximately 540 THAAD interceptors remaining out of an estimated total inventory of around 632, after using over 150 in the 12-day conflict with Iran.  

The U.S. has only eight active batteries.

Patriot Interceptors: The U.S. is operating at roughly 25% of its required inventory for Patriot interceptors. While over 2,000 PAC-3 MSE missiles were procured through 2024, high usage in Ukraine and the Middle East has severely depleted stocks.

Replenishment Rates: To address these shortages, the Pentagon is moving to quadruple THAAD production from 96 to 400 per year by 2026–2027 and accelerating PAC-3 MSE production to 2,000 units annually over the next seven years. 

Israel and the US don't have 7 years ...

Key Inventory Details (2026 Status)

THAAD: The 2026 budget requests funding for only 37 additional THAAD interceptors.

Patriot (PAC-3 MSE): The 2026 budget requests 224 missiles, with an additional 96 authorized by Congress in a 2026 spending bill. 

CSIS | Center for Strategic and International Studies

Endgame ...

The reliance on these systems in the Middle East, particularly during the 2025 conflict where up to 150-250 THAAD missiles were used, has placed"alarming" stress on the U.S. defense industrial base. 

Betting pool: The US will run out of missiles before Iran. 

This is when this war becomes real. 

Factoids.

The assertion that a multi-interceptor approach is a "mechanical necessity" due to less than 100% single-shot probability of kill (SSPK) is a fundamental principle of modern missile defense doctrine, intended to maximize the likelihood of destroying incoming threats.

Explosions from projectile interceptions by Israel's missile defense system are pictured over the Israeli coastal city of Netanya, on February 28, 2026. Jack Guez / AFP via Getty Images

The US fired about 150 THAAD interceptors last June to defend Israel during the 12-day war against Iran, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Those weapons are the highest-end ground-based missile defense system in the American inventory, with each Lockheed Martin Corp. interceptor costing about $15 million. But only a few dozen were purchased last year.