The U.S. government invented mosaic warfare—then forgot to use it.
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When the United States and Israel launched Operation Epic Fury against Iran in February, they showcased the most expensive military force ever assembled. The cost of America’s opening salvoes alone may have exceeded Iran’s total defense expenditure in 2025. With its obvious firepower superiority and the swift decapitation of Iran’s leadership, the campaign was—as the White House continues to insist—a success by conventional measures of military performance.
Emma Isabella Sage is the co-founder of a research software startup, LIVINI, a research affiliate at the University of Glasgow, and a 2026 International Strategy Forum fellow. She writes on national security, geoeconomics, and emerging technology.
