But now, somehow, President Trump has betrayed the movement that has carried him to office by waging a disastrous war on Iran in cooperation with Israel. Along the way, Mr Trump lashed out at the international system by imposing so-called "reciprocal" tariffs on April 2 last year, known as "Liberation Day". In the Middle East, the Trump II administration argued to "shift burdens" and "build peace". President Trump in 2026 sounds like President George W Bush in 2003, grasping for war justifications that are just not there. Mr Trump is using the same doctrine of "preemption" by attacking Iran first and trying to explain the reasons later.

Source: Bangkok Post March 26, 2026 22:41 UTC