Trump’s Iran Misjudgment and Misunderstanding of Power

In January, Stephen Miller, a key figure in Donald Trump’s administration, gave an interview to CNN journalist Jake Tapper. During this conversation, Miller celebrated the recent military action in Venezuela, showcasing a confident stance. He indicated a shift in America’s global strategy, saying the nation would no longer play the role of a benevolent figure financing a global order that seemed to no longer benefit its interests. Miller remarked that America would now act with boldness and unapologetic force to assert its will internationally.

This sentiment closely reflected Donald Trump’s approach to power, highlighted by Miller as one of the administration’s most hard-line representatives. The United States remains the most powerful country in history, boasting the largest economy and a currency that dominates global markets. In addition, it possesses the most advanced military worldwide, powered by cutting-edge technology and elite special forces operations.

Within this context, the Trump administration entered a reckless and unprovoked war with Iran over two months ago, believing it would demonstrate American strength freed from what Miller regarded as the “niceties” of international law and driven by aggressive “kinetic” actions, a term favored by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

Unfortunately for Trump, events did not unfold as anticipated. Despite the loss of its leader and numerous senior officials, Iran mounted a significant counterattack, causing widespread damage to American regional allies and military bases. By gaining control of the Strait of Hormuz, Iran effectively wielded a potent economic weapon, spiking fuel prices and causing shortages of crucial commodities globally.

Miller once stated to Tapper, “We live in a world governed by strength, force, and power.” However, the aftermath of the Iran conflict offers a stark counterargument. The Trump administration’s misguided approach not only underestimated American might and Iran’s resilience, but also fundamentally misunderstood the concept of power, wrongly equating it with brute force when, in reality, the two are distinct.

Miller’s boastful rhetoric brings to mind Thucydides’ “History of the Peloponnesian War,” an ancient and influential text on warfare. Across eight volumes, it recounts the epic battle between Athens and Sparta, two rivals in the Mediterranean. The Athenians famously declared, “The strong do what they can and the weak suffer what they must,” while demanding the neutral Greek island of Melos to either submit or face annihilation, mirroring the undertones of Miller’s statements.