War in Iran is Chewing Through American Missile Stockpiles

In this Odd Lots episode, recorded amid a hypothetical U.S.-Iran war in March 2026, hosts Joe Weisenthal and Tracy Alloway discuss missile supply chains with Tom Carrico, director of the Missile Defense Project at CSIS. Carrico explains how the conflict is rapidly depleting U.S. stockpiles of offensive and defensive missiles, exposing vulnerabilities in production capacity and global positioning.

Missile Types and Conflict Role

Missiles dominate modern warfare due to precision guidance and standoff range, replacing much direct fire since the 1970s. Ballistic missiles follow a powered launch then unpowered arc under gravity; cruise missiles use engines for aerodynamic flight; hypersonics blend both for speed and maneuverability. Drones like Iran's Shaheds function as long-range cruise missiles over 1,000 km.

In the Iran war, Iran has launched hundreds of ballistic missiles and drones at neighbors, while the U.S. and allies expend comparable numbers of interceptors (e.g., Patriot PAC-3, THAAD, Standard Missile) plus offensive strikes (Tomahawks, JASSM, LRASM) on up to 5,000 targets. Missile defense combines effects—not just interceptor-on-missile—to defeat threats, as shown in Ukraine, Red Sea, and Israel's defense last summer. Success rates are high, but volumes are "scary," per Carrico, as defenses buy time but do not end wars.