The NYT has several pertinent stories today. “How Iran Adapted Its Attacks as U.S. War Munitions Dwindled,” NYT, 8-11-26. “The Pentagon has used more than 1,500 Patriot interceptor missiles in the war and has fewer than 1,700 interceptors left, according to two people briefed on the stockpile levels who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive military details. The United States produced about 600 interceptors in all of 2025. The rapid depletion is occurring as Iranian forces study another war. In Ukraine, Russia has used combinations of ballistic and cruise missiles to distract Ukrainian air defenses, and then rushed in drones.”
“Live Updates: Iran Said to Have Known Details of Trump’s Stay at NATO Summit,” NYT, 8-11-26. Iran knew building and floor. And see “The U.S. knew of a shoulder-fired missile threat against Air Force One, officials say,” NYT, 8-11-26. Finally, see “A Catering Truck and a Decoy Plane: How Trump’s Great Escape Unfolded,” NYT, 8-11-26.
“Israeli intelligence prompted secret evacuation of Trump from Air Force One in Turkey – report,” i24, 8-11-26.
“All Mojtaba’s men: Old guard shapes Iran’s new order,” Iran International, 8-11-26. “Iran’s unseen supreme leader has issued his first military decrees, raising a central question about the emerging order under Mojtaba Khamenei: is he tightening his grip on power, or relying on the old security establishment to shore up his authority? The six decrees named Ali Abdollahi chief of staff of the armed forces, with Kioumars Heydari as his deputy; Ahmad Vahidi commander-in-chief of the Revolutionary Guards, with Mostafa Izadi as his deputy; Ali Azmaei commander of the Guards’ navy; and Hossein Taeb, the feared former intelligence chief of the Guards, head of the Basij. Separately, Mohsen Rezaei, the former Guards commander named Khamenei’s military adviser in March, became secretary of the Supreme National Security Council and the leader’s representative on the body.” I repeat the first line, “unseen.” Who is communicating with him? Who brings him food? Does he see any relatives? Does the sun ever shine on him?
“Four crew, two rescuers killed in Red Sea attack; US strikes ship in Gulf of Oman,” Reuters, 8-11-26.