Harlan Ullman, a contributing opinion writer for The Hill, recently published an analysis titled “Three signs that America is on the run,” highlighting what he describes as critical vulnerabilities in U.S. national security strategy.
Ullman utilizes the USS Forrest Sherman, one of the first destroyers designed after World War II, as a metaphor for current American military posture. The ship features three rapid-fire guns: one mounted forward on the bow and two in the stern facing aft. This configuration has led critics to cynically suggest the vessel was the first warship engineered to fight while retreating.
According to Ullman, three specific events from the previous week reinforce this metaphor regarding the United States.
The first incident involved a potential threat from Iran, which prompted the deployment of 12 naval ships. Ullman notes that this response illustrates the fragility of military bases and infrastructure when faced with remote attacks.
The second concern centers on energy security and geopolitical alliances. Lawmakers have issued a bipartisan statement pushing back against the Trump administration’s dealings regarding Russian oil, signaling internal disagreement over how to handle adversaries like Russia while managing domestic energy needs.
The third point addresses domestic infrastructure and cyber vulnerabilities. Ullman argues that the ease with which foreign actors can target American infrastructure demonstrates a significant gap in defensive capabilities, suggesting that the nation is increasingly on the defensive rather than maintaining a proactive strategic advantage.
Published on October 12, 2026, the opinion piece contributes to ongoing debates about the scope and direction of U.S. defense policy under the current administration.
If we’re only shooting backward, how do we ever win? This reading left me more worried than convinced.
The energy security angle is fascinating. Domestic political fighting over Russian oil really does undermine unified foreign policy stances.
Wait, the author claims this was published in October 2026? That’s two years in the future. Did you typo the date?
I’m skeptical about blaming one week of events for such a dramatic strategic shift. Infrastructure hacking isn’t new, Harlan.
The Forrest Sherman metaphor is darkly funny but points to a real issue. Are we funding offense or just expensive retreats now?