President Trump is facing a key stretch on foreign policy with escalating situations challenging his leadership in North Korea, Venezuela, China, and Iran all in the span of a few days.
Trump has separately juggled disputes with each country over the last several months as the administration has been engaged in trade talks with China, negotiated with North Korea about denuclearization and pressured Venezuelan and Iranian leadership with economic sanctions.
But the stakes in each case have ramped up in recent days. The convergence of events leaves Trump and his top advisers with a series of decisions to make that could draw in the U.S. military, reshape the economy or further strain diplomatic ties.
“There are a lot of plates that we’re spinning in the department,” acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan told reporters on Tuesday. “I think the events of the weekend with North Korea demonstrates that the world is a very dynamic place. There’s no change to our plans for diplomacy, but our resources, our troops, our posture remains the same.”
In Venezuela and Iran, Trump is confronted with a test of restraint. The administration has thus far resorted to sanctions to spur change in each country, but the possibility of military action looms.
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11.30.2024