To the Editor: I read Al Root's article (" Cheap Drones Are Upending the Defense Sector," Cover Story, June 24) with both hope and humility. Root noted: "Views that drones will massively displace spending on manned platforms ignore institutional and political biases on military power."

As we celebrate our nation's 250th year of independence, we are reminded of our outgunned patriots' early tactics in picking off the British "redcoats" who fought with old methods and strategies. In the wake of President Trump's "excursion" into Iran, I hope we have learned something about this new age of war. Like our forefathers did in 1776, our enemies lie in wait, unencumbered by "institutional and political biases."

Tom Ward Cumberland, R.I.

Income Alternatives

To the Editor: As a retired senior with a self-managed IRA, I am always drawn to advice about income investments. Yields are important at my stage of life, and Andrew Bary's article was very informative (" The Best High-Yield Income Investments for 2026, Ranked," June 26). I am curious, however, why closed-end funds weren't covered. A few funds yield in the 15% to 20% range. They're not for everyone, but in diligent hands they can be winners.

Louis M. Johnson Middleton, Mass.

China Syndrome

To the Editor: China is without doubt the greatest threat to the free world economically, politically, and militarily (" 5 Surprising Ways to Play China," June 23). Investments in China are nothing more than a hidden risk. China doesn't report actual earnings — only what it wants you to believe — and investors don't have actual ownership.

B.J. Khalifah Grosse Pointe Park, Mich.

To the Editor: There are reasons why China is cheap. First, it has been considered uninvestible many times because of meddling by the government. Other areas are off-limits to foreigners. The biggest issue is that companies are not run for profit but for the goals of the state, leaving shareholders shouldering the risks with uncertainty over the payoff. That is a market good for the gambler, not the investor.

Albert Wong On Barrons.com

A River of Red Ink

To the Editor: Our government is completely dysfunctional when it comes to spending (" Kevin Warsh Wants to Take the Fed Back to Greenspan's 1990s. There's One Big Problem," The Economy, June 26). There will come a day when they can no longer finance the debt without offering higher yields on Treasuries, kicking off a vicious cycle of compounding debt and ever-higher interest rates that cannot be stopped.

Danny Ward On Barrons.com

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