It is bubble-gum foreign policy: one where the quick hit of flavor is the goal, rather than chewing a sticky mess for hours. US President Donald Trump’s approach to global adventurism appears to adore a quick result and abhor a protracted crisis.
Little is predictable with this White House, and that is perhaps the point. But the few lessons learned from January’s whirlwind, and indeed Trump’s previous entanglements with Iran, suggest his military options ahead in the Gulf are limited, and far from great.
The buildup of naval assets off and around the coast of Iran is blunt and plodding. Trump has telegraphed potential military action for about 19 days, since he posted “HELP IS ON ITS WAY” and…