The US president does not have a convincing story to tell about the Iran confict.
- Lecturer, Department of War Studies, King's College London
Trump has declared the US the ‘guardian’ of the Strait of Hormuz, but his strikes are feeding the very behaviour they aim to deter.
The US and Iran have once again traded strikes, prompting Donald Trump to declare the ceasefire between them ‘over’.
Iran’s control of the Strait of Hormuz and Israel’s right to defend itself against Hezbollah’s rocket attacks have boxed the US president into a corner.
Diplomatic pressure, rising military casualties and the problem of Israeli hostages in Gaza have not deterred Netanyahu from ordering an offensive on Rafah.
How far the violent exchanges between Israel and Iran will escalate may well hinge on how strong the two sides’ leader need to appear to their own people.
The UK government needs to define its goals and the scope of its involvement in a campaign against Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen.
Iran’s role in the recent conflict between Israel, Hamas and Hezbollah shows how badly western containment policy has failed.
Russia’s casualty count in Ukraine is high, but the country has a national mythology built on loss and sacrifice.
Now Russians may start feeling the fear that has afflicted ordinary Ukrainians since February 2022.
Contact Ben for
- General
- Media request
- Speaking request
- Consulting / Advising
- Research collaboration
- Research supervision
- Article Feed
- Joined
