Trump's Second Term Foreign Policy: A Global Review of Military Actions and Threats
When Donald Trump commenced his second presidential term, he pledged an "America First" doctrine, promising to avoid foreign entanglements unless directly threatened. However, his administration has pursued an aggressively interventionist foreign policy, authorising military strikes across multiple continents, seizing assets, and orchestrating regime change operations.
Iran: Escalation to "Major Combat Operations"
On February 28, 2026, President Trump announced the United States was conducting "major combat operations" in Iran, warning of potential American casualties. These strikes, coordinated with Israel, targeted Iranian missile capabilities and naval assets. Trump issued an ultimatum to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard, offering immunity for surrender or "certain death." This escalation followed a Twelve Day War in June 2025, triggered by Israeli airstrikes on Iran's nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan, which the US subsequently bombed. Despite a ceasefire, tensions reignited in January 2026 amid Iranian domestic protests and a government crackdown.
Venezuela: Regime Change and Resource Seizure
The US intervention in Venezuela intensified dramatically. Beginning with attacks on alleged "narco-terrorist boats" in September 2025, operations expanded, resulting in reported extrajudicial killings. The climax occurred on January 3, 2026, when US special forces executed Operation Absolute Resolve, capturing President Nicolás Maduro in Caracas and extraditing him to face charges in New York. Subsequently, the Trump administration assumed control of global Venezuelan crude oil sales, acquiring 30-50 million barrels of formerly sanctioned oil.
Somalia and Iraq: Sustained Counterterrorism Campaigns
In Somalia, Trump launched strikes against ISIS and al-Shabab just ten days after his second inauguration. By February 2026, his administration had conducted 135 strikes in the country, surpassing the combined totals of the Bush Jr., Obama, and Biden presidencies. Concurrently, Trump verbally attacked Somali immigrants as "garbage who contribute nothing." In Iraq, precision airstrikes in March 2025 eliminated ISIS's second-in-command, Abdallah al-Rifai, as part of the ongoing Operation Inherent Resolve.
Yemen, Syria, and Nigeria: Regional Retaliations
The US conducted over 1,100 strikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen in March 2025, spending more than $1 billion, yet attacks on Red Sea shipping resumed by July. In Syria, Operation Hawkeye Strike in December 2025 retaliated for the deaths of US personnel, employing over two dozen aircraft. On Christmas Day 2025, Trump ordered strikes against ISIS targets in Nigeria, citing the protection of Christians, with defense officials confirming "multiple fatalities."
Potential Future Targets and Diplomatic Strains
Trump has signalled possible actions against several other nations:
- Mexico: Criticised for failing to control drug cartels and migration, with warnings to "get their act together."
- Cuba: Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated the regime was "in a lot of trouble" following Maduro's capture.
- Colombia: Trump accused President Gustavo Petro of involvement in cocaine trafficking, suggesting he "won't be doing it very long."
- Greenland: Trump has revived ambitions to purchase the territory, threatening tariffs and causing tensions with NATO allies.
- Canada: While ruling out military annexation, Trump has promoted the idea of Canada becoming the "51st state" through economic pressure.
Analysis: "America Isolated" Rather Than "America First"
Aurélien Colson of ESSEC Business School notes Trump's policy reflects "transactional disruption rather than strategic leadership," undermining international alliances. The so-called "Donroe Doctrine"—a play on the Monroe Doctrine—exemplifies this approach, prioritising spheres of influence and personal deal-making over stable global order. Colson concludes that the outcome is increasingly "America Isolated," eroding US credibility and empowering strategic rivals.
Despite campaign promises, Trump's second term has been marked by extensive military engagements, regime change operations, and confrontational rhetoric towards both adversaries and traditional allies, reshaping America's role on the global stage.
