As IF our adversaries' defense officials didn't know our capabilities. And human nature being what is they remarked to their leaders, 'we're not Iran, America can't do that to us.' Maybe, maybe not. Strategic ambiguity, tactical/operational ambiguity?
Shit, they've been sitting on that crap since 2000 and the defense oligarchs are salivating to sell cheeto some new mega expensive blow up stuff. Personally, I've never stopped thinking that the defense company owners create strife around the world to keep their billions going into their pockets. If asshole musty wanted to look for fraud and theft, all he had to do is look at the defense budget.