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President Donald Trump during a news conference in the White House briefing room on Monday, April 6, 2026. (Getty Images)
Middle East
Middle East
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A general view of the Port of Kharg Island Oil Terminal, 25 km from the Iranian coast in the Persian Gulf in Iran on March 12, 2017. (Getty Images)
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US Marines conduct a live fire deck shoot aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli in the Philippine Sea on March 16, 2026. (US Marine Corp)
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A US Air Force F-35A Lightning II taxis following military actions in Venezuela in support of Operation Absolute Resolve, January 3, 2026. (US Air Force)
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A US sailor signals to an F/A-18F Super Hornet aircraft on March 17, 2026. (US Navy)
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(Screenshot via Fox News)
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US President Donald Trump speaks during a Cabinet meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House on March 26, 2026, in Washington, DC. (Getty Images)
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The United States Navy aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford arrives in Souda Bay on March 23, 2026, in Souda, Greece. (Getty Images)
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(Screenshot via YouTube)
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(Screenshot via Fox News)
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The United Stated Navy aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford arrives in Souda Bay on March 23, 2026 in Souda, Greece. (Getty Images)
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(What Really Matters Logo)
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US Navy aircraft fly over the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln in support of Operation Epic Fury on March 3, 2026. (US Navy)
Experts
James Barnett
Research Fellow
Michael Doran
Senior Fellow and Director, Center for Peace and Security in the Middle East
