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On June 21, 2025 (today!), the U.S. military carried out coordinated airstrikes on three major Iranian nuclear facilities--Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan—using B-2 stealth bombers and 30,000-pound bunker-buster bombs. President Trump confirmed the operation on Truth Social, declaring it “very successful.” (Source: Bloomberg, The War Zone, Argus Media, AP)
If that sentence feels out of sync with Trump’s well-known calls to “end endless wars,” you’re not alone. These airstrikes signal a stunning shift in policy for an administration that has consistently wrapped itself in isolationist language—promising voters an America that minds its own business, ends foreign entanglements, and focuses on domestic affairs. Now, just weeks after Israel began bombing Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, the U.S. has fully entered the fight. A Doctrine in Conflict From the campaign trail to the Oval Office, Trump has marketed himself as a reluctant warrior. He pulled troops out of Afghanistan, lambasted NATO allies for expecting too much from U.S. taxpayers, and routinely mocked prior presidents for starting wars. But Trump also authorized the 2020 killing of Iran’s General Qassem Soleimani, oversaw a record number of drone strikes, and now—barely a year into his second term—has launched the most aggressive U.S. action against Iran in decades. This isn’t restraint. It’s escalation. Why Now? Several credible outlets confirm the following:
While the administration hasn’t released a formal statement on the motive, most observers see this as a strategic alignment with Israel. The strikes were likely meant to cripple Iran’s nuclear progress before it crosses a red line—real or perceived. What Does Trump Really Risk? At first glance, not much. Trump’s political brand has always been built on contradiction without consequence. He can denounce endless wars one day and order airstrikes the next—without losing core support—because his movement isn’t built on policy consistency. It’s built on performance, dominance, and defiance. But there is potential cost here, especially from the non-interventionist right—the populist, libertarian, and nationalist voices who believed “America First” actually meant less foreign entanglement, not targeted bombing raids. Figures like Tucker Carlson, Vice President J.D. Vance, and the Freedom Caucus have long warned against becoming entangled in Middle East wars, especially on behalf of foreign interests. Now that the U.S. is backing Israel’s campaign against Iran directly, some are already framing this as Trump “doing Netanyahu’s bidding.” The phrasing may vary—Netanyahu’s lackey, proxy, or yes, even his “bitch”—but the sentiment cuts into the myth that Trump answers to no one. Here is the irony: Trump built his identity on rejecting globalist pressure and foreign influence. But this strike, no matter how surgically framed, makes him look like a co-pilot on a flight with Netanyahu piloting. And once you’re seen as someone else’s co-pilot, the brand of unilateral strength and nationalism starts to crack. A Personal Reflection As a veteran with two middle-eastern deployments under my belt, and long-time observer of U.S. foreign policy, I’ve seen the slogans come and go. What rarely changes is how easily American power gets deployed—without congressional debate, without clear strategy, and too often without end. It’s fair to ask whether this is really about defending America or defining it by force projection. Either way, we’re owed answers—and oversight. What Now? Iran has promised retaliation. Regional tensions are at a boiling point. And the U.S., once again, is in the middle of a fight that could spiral into a broader conflict. Whether you supported Trump for his nationalist agenda or not, this is a moment to pause and ask: Is this what “America First” looks like? Sources
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AuthorAxel Newe is a strategic partnerships and GTM leader with a background in healthcare, SaaS, and digital transformation. He’s also a Navy veteran, cyclist, and lifelong problem solver. Lately, he’s been writing not just from the field and the road—but from the gut—on democracy, civic engagement, and current events (minus the rage memes). This blog is where clarity meets commentary, one honest post at a time. ArchivesCategories
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